Arval releases white paper on the future of diesel for fleets

Arval has released a white paper clarifying the current status for diesel in Europe, and also to outline the potential alternatives.

The leasing firm expects the percentage of diesel vehicles on its UK fleet to fall from 90 per cent today to 78 per cent in 2020.

The paper, called ‘Clearing the air around diesel’, highlights how Arval is believes that in the short-term, diesel remains instrumental in the reduction of CO2 emissions, giving time for manufacturers to make the necessary investment for the production of alternative and affordable vehicles, and for public authorities to develop the required infrastructures.

Petrol, and more importantly hybrids, also have an important role to play, before there is greater availability of full electric vehicles and the supporting infrastructure. In the meantime, Arval’s experts take a view that in the right circumstances, full electric vehicles can provide a good option.
 
Arval’s is revising its method of calculating Whole Life Costs, including new driver segmentation and driving and location models. Arval is also taking into account new alternatives such as vehicle sharing, which are effective additions to the use of the private car.

Shaun Sadlier, head of consultancy, said: “During the second half of last year, diesel became perhaps the most discussed topic with our fleet clients.

“Our view at that point in time was that a lot of what was being said and being reported was spurious, and that the correct thing to do was to wait and formulate a position that we believed was correct and sustainable. This measured thinking forms the basis of our white paper.”

He said that, in the short term, Arval expected a moderate rebalancing of diesel and petrol on its fleet as the pump prices of diesel became progressively less attractive and manufacturers invested less in diesel technology for smaller vehicle segments.