Six organisations from the leasing and car rental sectors, logistics, retail and SME representation called, on Wednesday 10 June, for a review of the proposal for a regulation on the ‘greening’ of corporate fleets (see EUROPE 13884/7).
The joint statement questions the introduction of binding targets for the purchase of zero-emission vehicles. “The EU markets with the fastest BEV (battery electric vehicle) uptake have all achieved their results through strong incentive frameworks allied to sustained investment in enabling conditions, including fiscal incentives, charging infrastructure and stable regulatory environments”, the signatories argued.
They also expressed concerns about the consequences of the text for small and medium-sized enterprises, which could see their financing options and ability to acquire vehicles reduced. The organisations highlighted the difficulties encountered in rural areas, where the insufficient deployment of charging points is still limiting the use of electric vehicles. Moreover, the low residual value of ‘zero-emission’ vehicles is said to be holding back the development of the second-hand market, on which small and medium-sized enterprises source their vehicles as a priority.
The signatories urge the co-legislators to “replace the proposed binding targets with an incentive-led framework that supports Member States and local authorities in accelerating the uptake of zero- and low-emission vehicles in corporate fleets, while maintaining technology openness”.
To see the joint statement: https://aeur.eu/f/m9g (Original version in French by Juliette Verdes)