Keeping flexible
Fleet managers who generally work on 3- or 5-year fleet cycles are currently grappling with uncertainty about the role electric vehicles will need to play in the immediate future. Businesses are already looking to reduce their carbon emissions, to meet environmental objectives as well as tackle business costs. However, the reality is that there are still plenty of unknowns on the transition to net zero and what organisations need now is flexible solutions.
Rental – the low-commitment model
Renting electric and hybrid vehicles is helping many organisations reduce their environmental impact by easily and flexibly increasing the proportion of low and zero emissions vehicles on fleet. The low-commitment model makes it ideal for businesses in the current changing and uncertain landscape. Plus, including electric rental vehicles within a fleet is becoming an increasingly popular way for businesses to learn from real-world experience to smooth the way for a greener fleet in future.
Supporting the net zero journey
Underlining its commitment to supporting businesses and motorists on their net zero journey, Europcar has a confident plan of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle additions for its fleet in 2024.
The end of 2023 saw electric vehicles account for over 12% of Europcar’s fleet and the company’s ambitions for 2024 are even greater as it schedules a range of new electric models for the fleet based on its strong OEM partnerships. Amongst the latest car additions to the Europcar fleet are the recently launched Jeep Avenger, the Škoda Enyaq and the Volvo XC60 and XC90 PHEVs. These new EV models come alongside the already well-established fleet of Tesla Model 3s, Mercedes-Benz EQ models and MG4 available from Europcar locations across the UK.
Europcar has also introduced a stress-free approach to vehicle charging for its rental fleet, to ensure customers don’t have to worry about returning the vehicle with a full charge. Every electric vehicle is provided at the start of rental with between 50% and 80% charge and the vehicle can be returned with just 20% battery charge.
Low commitment
Rental provides easy access to electric motoring in a low-commitment way which is good news for businesses. Electric vehicles can be rented when needed, for just a few days or weeks, which will then inform the decision about the best vehicle – and ownership options – for the future.
Long-term rental also makes sense for businesses as they transition to zero emissions. It provides the ultimate flexibility to optimise fleet size as well as provides access to the latest vehicles and technology without having to commit to lengthy lease agreements.
The Europcar electric vehicle fleet is available from locations across the UK as well as for delivery and collection to most business and private addresses.