SMEs warned over cost of high-emission vehicles

A UK fleet management company has highlighted the major changes ahead for some fleets after research revealed nearly on quarter of vehicles operated by its customers fail to meet the latest emissions standards. Without updating the fleet, many vehicles could be affected by higher taxes or Low Emission Zone restrictions when they are eventually introduced, after legislation to postpone their launch because of the COVID-19 pandemic is lifted. FleetCheck found that 23.5% of customer vehicles failed to meet Euro 6 emissions standards, which have been set as the benchmark for toll-free access to areas including Birmingham, the UK’s second biggest city.

SMEs warned over cost of high-emission vehicles

Mar 31, 2020

A UK fleet management company has highlighted the major changes ahead for some fleets after research revealed nearly on quarter of vehicles operated by its customers fail to meet the latest emissions standards. Without updating the fleet, many vehicles could be affected by higher taxes or Low Emission Zone restrictions when they are eventually introduced, after legislation to postpone their launch because of the COVID-19 pandemic is lifted. FleetCheck found that 23.5% of customer vehicles failed to meet Euro 6 emissions standards, which have been set as the benchmark for toll-free access to areas including Birmingham, the UK’s second biggest city.

National Express bans diesel buses as it targets zero emission future

Global public transport operator National Express Group will no longer purchase diesel buses for its UK operations, the company has announced. The decision coincides with the planned introduction of new electric coaches during 2021, as it moves to a fully zero emission UK bus and coach fleet by 2035.

National Express bans diesel buses as it targets zero emission future

Mar 09, 2020

Global public transport operator National Express Group will no longer purchase diesel buses for its UK operations, the company has announced. The decision coincides with the planned introduction of new electric coaches during 2021, as it moves to a fully zero emission UK bus and coach fleet by 2035.

All-electric car-sharing service hits the streets of Paris after great success in Spain

In an attempt to expand its presence in the car-sharing sector, Renault has announced its decision to launch a service in Paris later this month, in partnership with Spanish contractor, Ferrovial. Since its conception in Madrid back in 2017, Renault’s car-sharing service – named Zity – has built a fleet of 658 electric vehicles (EVs) and has so far gained 317,000 users, who have covered 1 million kilometres. Zity is expected to make 500 Renault Zoe EVs available to users through a mobile app, much like existing car-sharing services, whereby users can locate the nearest vehicle, reserve it, and unlock it when they’re ready to go. The automaker claims it will not charge a subscription fee, instead making users pay only for the use of the vehicle per minute, and in fixed-time blocks of four hours, eight hours, and 24 hours.

All-electric car-sharing service hits the streets of Paris after great success in Spain

Mar 09, 2020

In an attempt to expand its presence in the car-sharing sector, Renault has announced its decision to launch a service in Paris later this month, in partnership with Spanish contractor, Ferrovial. Since its conception in Madrid back in 2017, Renault’s car-sharing service – named Zity – has built a fleet of 658 electric vehicles (EVs) and has so far gained 317,000 users, who have covered 1 million kilometres. Zity is expected to make 500 Renault Zoe EVs available to users through a mobile app, much like existing car-sharing services, whereby users can locate the nearest vehicle, reserve it, and unlock it when they’re ready to go. The automaker claims it will not charge a subscription fee, instead making users pay only for the use of the vehicle per minute, and in fixed-time blocks of four hours, eight hours, and 24 hours.

Europe

Sixt exits leasing market to focus on generating profits through mobility services

Mar 06, 2020

Sixt operates primarily in the mobility services market, offering a variety of car rental, car sharing and ride hailing services with products such as Sixt rent, Sixt share and Sixt ride. Until recently, the company also offered car leasing services until it announced it intended to fully divest its shareholding in its subsidiary Sixt Leasing, focusing more of its efforts in the mobility market. Alexander Sixt, chief administrative officer of Sixt, said: "The sale means that we are clearly counting on the consistent expansion of our core business and are focusing even more on the growth and innovation-driven further development of our new mobility services, the digitisation of our company and, in particular, international expansion in the USA and Western Europe. “Furthermore, through the deconsolidation of the leasing business, the transaction allows us to significantly shorten our balance sheet and to extend our leading position in our peer group with respect to the equity ratio."

Americas

PACCAR Financial Services reports record revenues

Feb 06, 2020

Assets at PACCAR Financial Services reached a record $16.07 billion last year as its portfolio grew to 208,000 trucks and trailers. The results include PacLease, a major full-service truck leasing company in North America and Europe, which has a fleet of more than 40,000 vehicles. PFS revenues were a record $1.48 billion in 2019 compared to $1.36 billion in 2018. Last year’s pre-tax profits were $298.9 million.

Asia Pacific

SG Fleet widens service offering in Australia through strategic investment in car subscription provider Collaborate

Dec 16, 2019

Vehicle leasing company SG Fleet has bought a stake in Australian mobility specialist Collaborate Corporation for $2.2 million to widen its service offering. Collaborate’s core businesses are its car subscription service ‘Carly’ and a range of peer-to-peer vehicle rental offerings. With Carly, users pay a monthly subscription fee to access any vehicle from the entire fleet available.