Unearthing the Green Claims of Leasing Companies: An Undercover Investigation
Recent findings have brought to light a disparity between the green initiatives advocated by vehicle leasing companies and their actual sales practices. An investigation led by the environmental organization Transport & Environment (T&E) reveals that leasing companies in France are hesitant to recommend battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to their clients, contrary to their counterparts in Germany who are more proactive in their approach.
Leasing Companies in France Hesitant to Suggest Electric Vehicles
During the undercover inquiry, leasing company representatives in France showed a tendency to steer potential customers away from BEVs, favoring traditional options such as plug-in hybrids and internal combustion engine vehicles. Investigators posed as company managers looking to lease fleet cars, encountering sales advice that frequently contradicted claims of promoting zero-emission mobility.
The Reality of Fleet Management Guidance in France
The probe targeted top leasing firms in Europe, such as Arval and ALD-LeasePlan, to gauge their sales strategies. Remarkably, France is a significant market for these companies, yet the sales conversations overwhelmingly promoted less eco-friendly choices. This divergence in guidance raises environmental concerns, given the substantial influence these companies have on the market.
Misleading Information and Electric Vehicle Misconceptions
The investigation also brought to light the spread of misinformation by sales staff concerning the performance of electric vehicles. Misunderstandings regarding charging times and the benefits of hybrids versus pure electric vehicles further clouded the picture, hindering a move towards greener technologies.
Contrasting Sales Strategies in Germany
Conversely, Germany exhibited a more balanced scenario. Sales representatives were frequently inclined to endorse electric vehicles, albeit with some neutrality in a few cases. The findings indicate a potential for leasing companies to exert more influence in driving the shift towards cleaner vehicular technologies.
Volkswagen Financial Services and Electric Vehicle Promotion
Within the German landscape, Volkswagen Financial Services showed less initiative in encouraging the adoption of BEVs compared to other leasing players. This highlights the complex and varying attitude of leasing companies towards electric mobility across different markets.
Underlining the Gap Between Green Promises and Reality
The gap between the green statements and the actual sales approach taken by leasing companies is evident. Stefan Cornelis of T&E urges these organizations to align their promotional strategies more closely with their avowed commitment to sustainability, guiding fleets towards electric vehicles consistently.
A Call for Increased Electric Vehicle Advocacy
With a combined fleet of around 9.7 million vehicles, the leading seven leasing companies have significant leverage within the EU market. T&E’s research suggests that these companies need to hasten their transition to non-polluting vehicles, establishing ambitious targets consistent with their environmental pledges.
Notes and clarifications on the rebranding of certain organizations and access to different leasing companies during the investigation underscore the ongoing nature of this industry-wide evaluation and adaptation.
