In this issue


There’s no doubt the idea of autonomous vehicles has gone from film fiction to everyday reality - although in the real world, driverless buses in Oxford are the only such vehicles pounding the streets of the UK. But, be in no doubt, this is likely to change in 2026, following the passing of The Autonomous Vehicles Act, in May this year. This has laid the legal framework, opening the floodgates to mass driverless vehicles on UK roads. With £475 billion of investment and the creation of 1,500 jobs, it’s not difficult to see the commercial motivation, and The Autonomous Vehicles Act addresses responsibility in accidents. Jack’s feature, starting on P22, looks closer at the Act and its implications to fleet. As I write, Christmas and New Year still seem a way off, but the reality is this is the last issue of Business Car in 2024. I’d like to thank you all for your support throughout what has been a difficult and challenging year for fleet. Further challenges await in 2025, and as always, we will be there to support and advise. Finally, expect news on the 2025 Business Car Awards very soon.


Enjoy this issue.


Martyn Collins Business Car Editor


Businesses given the incentive to go electric


The Autumn Budget statement, delivered on 30th October, gave businesses a clear signal of the new Labour government’s intent to support the UK’s transition to net zero. Underpinning the take-up of electric vehicles, the incentives for company car drivers have been extended until at least 2030, along with committed investment in charging infrastructure. The key now is to give more business drivers the confidence to make the switch, as the latest data from Europcar’s EV Barometer for Quarter 3 2024 shows there is still an underlying resistance from employers to switch. However the good news is, challenges with charging, and the cost and choice of vehicles, are holding back slightly fewer businesses from switching to a more sustainable fleet. EV knowledge is also increasing.


Delivering real-world experience


Removing barriers and dispelling myths about EV driving is a vital step towards carbon-neutral mobility, and Europcar is offering invaluable support to those businesses taking steps towards greener travel. “When business drivers have the opportunity to try out electric motoring for themselves, in real-world conditions, confidence increases significantly”, explained Tom Middleditch, head of electric mobility, Europcar. “By renting electric for a few days, a week or more, charging at different locations can be experienced as well as how different chargers work and how much they cost. That’s something a standard test drive is rarely going to be able to deliver. And long-term rental delivers the latest EV technology without a business having to make a financial commitment that might not be the right fit in the longer-term.”


A growing EV fleet


the UK’s transition to cleaner, greener vehicles seriously. The confirmation that the fair EV company car tax regime will be continued at least to 2030 is a positive step, supporting a vital contributor to the transition and a bright spot of success up to now.” Novuna Vehicle Solutions managing director Jon Lawes said: “[The] Budget delivered unexpected relief for drivers and businesses, with fuel duty remaining frozen for another year.


“Although the £2 billion funding for the automotive sector to support the transition to electric vehicles coupled with a commitment to move the needle on green hydrogen are welcome developments on the roadmap to zero emission mobility,


incentives for personal-use drivers beyond fleets to make the switch needed to go much further.” SOGO sales director Lee O’Connell said: “We welcome the Chancellor’s Budget and the commitment to maintaining incentives for electric vehicles, particularly in company car tax until 2028.


“Increasing the differential for fully electric vehicles within VED is a step in the right direction.


“However, the question remains: do these measures go far enough to drive the level of investment necessary to meet our net-zero targets? We must consider if more robust action is required to support a rapid and sustainable transition to net zero.”


A growing fleet of BEV and PHEV cars and vans from Europcar gives businesses and individuals wide choice for every journey. And that includes the recent addition of the Kia Niro EV. As part of the company’s ambitions to offer a wide range of net zero vehicle options, the new all-electric Niro EV adds to the already well-established fleet of Tesla Model 3s, Mercedes-Benz EQ models, MG4s, Jeep Avengers and the Skoda Enyaq. Plus the Vauxhall Combo Electric and award-winning Renault Kangoo eTech have been added to Europcar’s Trucks and Vans fleet.


Usership vs ownership


Europcar is also empowering businesses to go greener in their mobility, even if they’re not ready to switch to electric. Focused on widening awareness of the role vehicle rental can play in helping businesses and individuals reduce their environmental impact, Europcar champions the idea of vehicle usership over ownership.


“Moving a business to electric requires clear thinking, detailed planning and hands-on real-world experience”, added Tom Middleditch. “Our carefully designed EV solutions are future-proofing the whole mobility process and already support many organisations as well as private motorists on their sustainability journeys. And used alongside petrol and diesel vehicles that are fully compliant with clean air and ultra-low emission zones, organisations can start to prepare for a zero emissions future.”


For more information visit: www.europcar.co.uk/en-gb/business


www.businesscar.co.uk | November/December 2024 | 5


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