No offense to the Cassandras, the electrification of the vehicle fleet of French companies is not stopping. The sudden and unexpected elimination, last February, of the ecological bonus for company cars barely disturbed managers. “It was necessary to re-order orders within forty-eight hours, in some cases, to benefit from it. Others postponed their acquisition projects for a few weeks, or even a few months, while they recalculated the impact on the total cost of ownership and on the choice of models”, testifies Solal Botbol, founder of the start-up Beev, specializing in equipping professionals with electric vehicles.
A diagnosis shared by Guillaume Maureau, deputy general director in charge of commerce at Ayvens (formerly ALD Automotive – LeasePlan). “The end of the subsidy has slowed down the pace of dissemination a little. But the underlying trend is underway, it will not change. Customers have integrated the paradigm shift,” he confirms.
Electricity massively adopted by automobile fleets
In its 2024 fleet and mobility barometer, published in March, the Arval observatory notes that 83% of companies have adopted an alternative technology to thermal engines, hybrid in the lead, and nearly a third of between them already includes 100% electric ranges. This transition is motivated by the CSR policy (26%) and the desire to limit the environmental impact (27%). “VSEs and SMEs with fewer than 100 vehicles are very sensitive to CSR,” adds Solal Botbol. Switching to clean energy allows them to retain their employees thanks to a better brand image. Managers often want to set an example, and equip themselves first But, more and more, it is the employees who convey their desire for conversion to management.”
The barometer notes that in addition to their automotive strategy, 80% of companies have adopted mobility solutions, i.e. 9 points more than in 2023, mainly to improve their CSR (56%) and their HR attractiveness (36%). ). Among the offers proposed, mobility budgets are being deployed. “We offer two services. One formula allows you to transfer the envelope intended for the company vehicle to a payment card and to use this money at your convenience, for a train ticket, a public transport subscription, carpooling, explains Guillaume Maureau Regarding commuting, the Sustainable Mobility package of 700 euros per year per employee, tax-free, allows the purchase of a bicycle, the use of car sharing, the tram, etc. ‘use in the same way as a restaurant card.’
In the absence of voluntarism, the legislator will pull out the stick
However, the Arval observatory notes that the mobility plan, included in the mobility orientation law (LOM) and obligatory for entities with more than 50 employees on the same site, is only applied by 30%. eligible companies, five years after its entry into force.
Likewise, the greening quota for fleets of more than 100 vehicles, progressive each year, provided for by the LOM, is not there. Since January 1, 2024, they must include 20% of electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles in new orders. However, two thirds of the 3,500 companies concerned do not respect this objective. In response, MP Damien Adam (Renaissance) tabled a bill aimed at establishing sanctions. Examined at first reading on April 30, the text proposes penalties of 2,000 euros per missing vehicle in 2025, 4,000 euros in 2026 and 5,000 euros in 2027. In the absence of sufficient volunteerism, the legislator pulls out the stick.