Strong BEV growth for BVRLA's leasing fleet

The BVRLA has reported that 42% of new cars added to the BVRLA’s leasing fleet in Q3 2023 were battery electric vehicles (BEV), giving a strong foundation for the industry to achieve the 22% target set for total new car sales in 2024.
 
The sector is already operating more than 400,000 BEVs, representing more than a third of total cars on the BVRLA’s leasing fleet. The average age of cars on the fleet is just over three years, highlighting the role of the sector in feeding the used EV market with reliable second-hand cars.
 
The BVRLA says that the fleet leasing sector is primed to play a vital role in the UK meeting its electric vehicle targets, in line with the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate coming into effect this week.

Gerry Keaney, BVRLA Chief Executive said: “Fleet leasing is helping to deliver decarbonisation at pace. Business customers and fleet users have paved the way. That blueprint must now be utilised to help retail buyers and those in the used market follow suit.
 
“The UK has set ambitious targets through the ZEV mandate. The leasing sector is an essential partner to vehicle manufacturers as they ramp up their sales of zero-emission vehicles.”
 
While the picture for cars is a positive one as demand for EVs will grow again in 2024, the electric van market is less clear. Progress towards van decarbonisation is lagging that of cars. Vehicle suitability, transition costs, and infrastructure accessibility remain the crucial barriers to overcome. In response, the BVRLA is working with other trade associations and CV bodies to address key concerns and show van operators how to make the switch effectively. A new electric ‘Van Plan’ is being launched in Q1 2024.
 
Keaney concludes: “With the introduction of the ZEV mandate officially mapping the UK’s journey to road transport decarbonisation, 2024 marks another critical year for the transition. Opportunities to support the switch are out there. It is now up to us to collectively grab them with both hands.”