Corporate fleets contribute to the energy transition

Swiss companies are working resolutely on the energy turnaround. This is according to the Fleet Barometer 2019, a study conducted annually since 2002 by Arval, one of Europe's leading specialists in full-service leasing and fleet management. Arval Mobility Observatory is a think tank in the areas of fleet and mobility. The Fleet Barometer study, which has been conducted annually in Europe, the UK and Switzerland since 2002, provides detailed and accurate information on trends in corporate fleets.

E-mobiles on the rise in corporate fleets

Already 23% of Swiss companies have integrated an electrified vehicle (fully electric, hybrid or plug-in hybrid) into their fleet. In the segment of the largest companies (500 employees or more), this figure is as high as 56%. When companies are asked where they see themselves in three years, the figures are even higher: In addition to the 23% of companies that already have electrified vehicles, another 22% of companies are considering equipping their fleets accordingly. Potentially, then, 45% of companies will incorporate alternative energy into their fleets within the next three years. For companies with 500 or more employees, this figure rises to 72%. According to the current product offering on the market, 32% of Swiss companies plan to switch to an electrified fleet using fully electric vehicles, 30% using hybrid vehicles and 19% using plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Strong commitment to reducing CO2 emissions

Every second company (51%) implements measures to reduce fleet emission levels. Among the largest companies (500 employees or more), this figure even rises to 71%. These values are in line with the European average, while the taxation of fleet vehicles in Switzerland is much less based on CO2 emissions than in other countries. The sustainable aspect is reflected in the fact that, in addition to maximum CO2 emission targets, Swiss companies also limit particulate matter and NOx (nitrogen oxides) emissions as part of their automotive policy. 27% of the Swiss companies indicated that their vehicle policies have already been influenced by the results of the new WLTP tests (Worldwide Harmonized Light-Duty Vehicles Test Procedure, legally required test procedure for fuel consumption and exhaust emission limits). Over the next three years, more than half (52%) of Swiss companies are expected to recognize the results of these tests for their vehicle policies. When asked what they would do if automakers could offer diesel vehicles with the same pollutant and particulate emissions as gasoline vehicles, they indicated that they would further reduce the proportion of diesel in their fleets so that they could include alternative energy vehicles in their mix.

Alternative mobility solutions are in vogue

Another finding from the study is that Swiss companies are actively addressing the many challenges that mobility poses for their employees. For example, they recognize the importance of company vehicles for employee mobility and continue to expect their fleets to grow. Companies continue to use company vehicles as an element of HR policy to attract and retain talent at all levels. However, the proportion of these companies declined last year. Companies also want to optimize the environmental mobility balance of their employees. As a result, Swiss companies are particularly positive about alternative mobility solutions such as carpooling and car sharing - combined with a corresponding reduction in the size of the vehicle fleet: The share of companies that have already implemented or want to implement such alternative mobility solutions is high in Switzerland (34% and 36%, respectively) and has shown a clear upward trend since 2018. In this respect, Switzerland is well ahead of the other European countries: ranked 1 out of 12 for car sharing and 3 out of 12 for carpooling - this represents an improvement of five places and one place respectively compared to 2018.

Swiss companies consider mobility budget

30% of Swiss companies (+12 points compared to the European average) have or are planning comprehensive mobility approaches such as the mobility budget, similar to the SBB Green Class offer launched by SBB, in which Arval acts as a strategic partner. The mobility budget makes it possible to offer employees user-centric mobility solutions within a predefined budget. In addition to the company car, employees have access to solutions such as electric vehicles, trains, P+Rail parking and other services (cab, short-term rental, public transport, etc.). According to the survey, 41% of companies with more than 500 employees already have mobility budgets in place or are interested in doing so (+11 points compared to 2018). 21% indicated that such approaches may well enable them to reduce their fleet size by replacing vehicles that have previously been individually allocated.

Source: Arval