Leasing providers are playing key role in switch to EVs

MORE than half of UK fleets (53%) say their leasing provider has helped persuade them to switch to EVs, according to Arval.

The 2026 Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer shows 13% report their supplier has had a “significant” and 40% “moderate” influence on decision making.

This compares to 30% who say their role has been “low” and 12% who believe there has been “no influence”.

“Going electric is a major step for fleets and we are unsurprised so many say their leasing company has played a major role in the switch away from petrol and diesel.”

John Peters, Head of Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK Tweet

“Over the last few years, companies like ours and many others across the leasing sector have provided support, information and practical solutions that have transformed the company car sector to the point where an EV is today the default choice.”

The electrification journey tends to begin with promoting the advantages to fleets in terms of taxation benefits and fuel costs, progressing through exercises examining whole life costs and potential choice lists, he said.

“There has been much misinformation circulating about EVs, and our role has been to present a real-world picture to businesses that enable them to make informed decisions.

“We work to make the switch to electrification as easy and simple as possible, using a range of tools from intensive, customer-specific consultancy through to general purpose information guides and driving days.

“Given the speed and widespread nature of EV adoption, we’ve become expert in supporting these transitions and for fleets who are yet to electrify, especially commercial and business need vehicles, can offer a very high degree of expertise to make the process pain-free.”

The 2026 Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer shows that UK results for this question are comparable to European and global findings.

“One of the noticeable aspects of this year’s report data covering electrification is that fleet experiences seem to be similar everywhere. Businesses across the world are responding to EV adoption in a similar fashion.”

John Peters, Head of Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK Tweet

For the 2026 Arval Fleet and Mobility Observatory survey 10,157 company decision makers were interviewed across 33 countries by the independent research company Ipsos, out of which 305 interviews took place in the UK.