The greening of the corporate fleet is at the heart of climate change in France, but many companies do not respect the targets set. Faced with this observation, the Minister of Energy, Olga Guernet, expressed her desire to strengthen obligations to accelerate the transition of decarbonized vehicles to the company’s fleet.
Since the introduction of the Mobility Orientation Law (LOM Law) followed by the Climate and Flexibility Law, companies with a large fleet AutomobileAutomobile Renewal quota for lesser vehicles should be respected. BroadcastingBroadcasting. However, so far this quota is not always respected.
Companies are under fire because of the delay.
With around 50% of new vehicles purchased by companies, they play a key role in the transition to low-emission vehicles. These company fleets, which are renewed every 3 to 5 years, directly affect the offer on the second-hand market. However, by 2023, the majority of companies have not reached the required quota for green vehicles. In comparison, France lags behind its neighbors, with only 11 percent electric vehicles, compared to 35 percent in Belgium and Denmark.
Some big companies like La Poste stand out with primarily electric fleets, but others are struggling to keep up. The latter refer to obstacles such as the cost of vehicles, their limited autonomy and the lack of charging stations. To counter this InertiaInertiaThe government is considering imposing sanctions in case of non-compliance with the quota.
If price is still a barrier, the choice is expanding rapidly. Manufacturers are offering more and more electric utility vehicles to meet different needs. Renault is also offering electric retrofits on older models alongside its new Master in Electricity. Mercedes is developing new vehicles like the VAN.EA or the new eSprinter. Volkswagen offers a wide range of sedans. SUVSUV Electric vehicles also meet the company’s vehicle needs.
A continuously evolving legislative framework
LOM Law and Law ClimateClimate etc flexibilityflexibility Set progressive measures to green the fleet. Companies with more than 100 vehicles must integrate 20% of low-emission vehicles during each renewal, however without being subject to restrictions at that time.
Olga Givernet expressed her support for introducing fines to encourage businesses to take action. A financing bill may soon include measures to strengthen these obligations, with one clear goal: making the fleet more environmentally friendly. Former MP Damien Adams had already proposed sanctions if companies did not comply with the schedule starting in 2024, but the bill failed.
Green fleets, a real challenge for companies
Companies say they are ready to comply, but highlight the uncertainty surrounding tax evolution and the initial price of electric vehicles. According to some experts, a tax incentive is one solution, but it must be sustainable to guarantee a long-term commitment. Half of the company’s vehicles are used for personal travel, making transportation more complicated for companies and employees.
Beneficial tax measures, infrastructure development and stable regulations can make this transition more attractive and feasible. Greening the fleet is an important step in reducing emissions, but it requires a global vision that takes into account business realities and environmental needs. The additional cost of purchasing electric vehicles threatens to hurt companies’ cash flows in the short term.
