Rise of Low Emission Cars Led by UK Leasing Companies

BVRLA Infografics for Green Cars and Leasing

New figures from the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has revealed that the rise of low-emission vehicles is not only well in progress, but also aided by the leasing sector, who are now the UK’s leading adopter of cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicles.

BVRLA Market Share Infograf According to the latest BVRLA survey, leasing companies were responsible for around 1.3 million business cars and vans (as part of the contract hire and finance lease business) at the end of 2015, (a 5.5% increase year-on-year) with almost one in 20 (4.7%) of all new leased cars registered in the final quarter of 2015 a plug-in. This is over 3 and a half times the overall new registration figure for plug-ins in the UK, which stood at 1.3%.

And it is not just plug-ins that are benefitting from the leasing revolution. The BVRLA survey also showed that more than 25% of lease cars now sit in VED band A (below emissions of 100g/km CO2).

Thanks to this ever-increasing adoption of pure and plug-in hybrid electric cars as well as low-emission petrol and diesel vehicles, the average lease car added to a BVRLA member fleet in 2015 emitted just 112.6g/km CO2, more than 7% less than the average new car registered in 2015.

BVRLA CO2 Emissions Infograf Great news for believers and supporters of Green Motoring such as Go Ultra Low, for whom Poppy Welch said: “We’ve been encouraged by the growing number of fleets realising the multiple advantages of electric vehicles – and BVRLA members continue to play a pivotal role through education on whole-life costs and employee benefits. More businesses need to be bold, opening their thinking to incorporate electric vehicles and the cost-savings they bring.”

BVRLA VED Infograf And BVRLA Chief Executive Gerry Keaney also commented, with a touch of concern about government tax policy when it comes to company cars: “More and more businesses are turning to leasing as a source of finance and BVRLA members are helping these companies to operate cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles. The government needs to recognise that the company car or van is more than just a taxable perk and a valuable source of revenue for the Treasury. These vehicles are vital business tools that can play a huge role in reducing the UK’s road transport carbon emissions. Without a fair and simple tax regime for company vehicles, this won’t happen.”