LeasePlan launches EV pilot at COP23
LeasePlan has launched an electric vehicle (EV) pilot programme for corporates at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP23) in Bonn. The pilot offers the growing number of companies wanting to switch to low-emission vehicles an easy way to do so.
Not content with being a global leader in fleet management, LeasePlan also aims to become a pioneer in helping to transition corporate fleets to a post-carbon future.
Paris Agreement
So it's no coincidence this pilot programme was presented at COP23, where representatives of almost all the world's governments are looking for ways to implement the carbon reduction goals set by the Paris Agreement in 2015, at COP21.
For LeasePlan itself, the pilot programme dovetails with its own ambition to turn its entire fleet carbon-neutral by 2030.
The aim of the pilot programme is to help companies make the transition to low-emission vehicles. The pilot is fully scalable – the customers can decide themselves how many vehicles in their fleet will be part of the pilot.
Carbon offsetting
LeasePlan will also facilitate the implementation of charging infrastructure at customers’ offices and employees’ homes. Wherever possible, LeasePlan will work with partners to ensure the charging infrastructure is supplied with 100% renewable energy. Carbon offsetting will also be available for the non-electric cars that do not form part of the pilot.
The full pilot will be available in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and the UK from December, with a further rollout planned for Italy, Spain and Sweden in the first quarter of 2018.
Make the switch
“We see an increasing demand for EV fleets from corporate companies that want to lower their overall emissions and help tackle climate change”, LeasePlan CEO Tex Gunning gave as rationale behind the programme.
“As part of our 2030 Sustainability Strategy, LeasePlan is fully committed to helping these customers make the switch. Making the switch to an electric fleet is one of the simplest ways for companies to rapidly lower their emissions and help tackle climate change – and we are committed to facilitating those companies that want to make the transition.”
Key elements
As mentioned, LeasePlan's sustainability strategy targets zero emissions from the company's total fleet by 2030. Key elements in the strategy include:
– educating customers on What’s next in low-emission vehicles;
– facilitating the uptake of low-emission vehicles with attractive customer propositions developed by the LeasePlan Electric Vehicle Experience Centre;
– leading the development of a sophisticated second-hand car market of well-maintained, high-quality lease vehicles; and
– transitioning LeasePlan’s own employee fleet to an electric vehicle fleet by 2021.
LeasePlan is also a founding partner of EV100, a new global business initiative designed to fast-track the uptake of electric vehicles and infrastructure, launched by The Climate Group around the UN General Assembly in September.
