With their preponderant weight in the purchases of new vehicles in France, companies play an essential role in the development of the energy mix of the entire national vehicle fleet. “Nearly 40% of new vehicles purchased each year in France are professional vehicles, emphasizes Arnaud Gauffier, director of programs at WWF France. After four to five years, these cars begin a second life on the second-hand market where nearly 75% of low-income households get their supplies. If company fleets become electrified, a large number of French people will thus be able to have access to low-emission and inexpensive cars. »
To identify company practices in terms of vehicles, WWF France has created the first MOB40 barometer. Forty fleet managers belonging to CAC40 groups or organizations whose fleet exceeds 100 vehicles were interviewed.
Today, only 3% of the vehicles in the sample run on electricity. Within three years, one in two vehicles on the road will be electric or plug-in hybrid. By 2024, a quarter of the fleet should have switched to electric. This roadmap surpasses thea mobility orientation law (LOM) which obliges companies to reserve 20% of their car purchases for low-emission models from 2024.
By 2030, two-thirds of fleet managers surveyed are aiming for a 100% electric fleet. This objective remains subject to the improvement of battery performance and the densification of the network of charging stations. Here again, the business plan exceeds the ambitions of the government and the 70% planned by LOM for this deadline.
Bike and car sharing
Another lesson from the MOB40, the crisis linked to Covid-19 has not slowed down the evolution of fleets. For nearly two-thirds of managers surveyed, the pandemic will have a decisive impact on their practices in the next three years and will accelerate the greening of their fleets without influencing their size.
The WWF France study highlights the beginning of a modal transfer of employees towards alternative forms of mobility such as cycling, carpooling and car-sharing. Another trend is that companies know more about the driving profile of their drivers and have a better understanding of the level of emissions associated with their journeys.
Despite these advances, obstacles are hindering the energy transition of company vehicles. First of all, the managers interviewed point to an under-equipment in charging stations. Only half of them own at least one terminal for two vehicles. Another difficulty is that companies lack feedback on the cost of use. More specifically, uncertainties remain on the maintenance and depreciation of the vehicle. The few electric vehicles resold on the second-hand market do not raise all the questions.
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