Fleet trends 2025

Fleet trends 2025

Sustainability, efficiency and employer attractiveness shape the mobility strategies of domestic companies. This is shown by the current fleet and mobility barometer 2025 from the Arval Mobility Observatory. To this end, over 8,000 decision-makers worldwide were surveyed - 300 of them in Austria. Despite economic uncertainty, the study shows: Austrian companies continue to make targeted investments in the development of their fleets. The results in detail: 92% of the companies surveyed expect a stable or growing fleet volume in the next three years - 16% even expect growth. The main driver of this development is a positive business situation (72%). According to the barometer, mobility is increasingly seen as an instrument of employer attractiveness. 72% of companies have already implemented or are planning a mobility strategy, and more than half offer their employees at least one mobility solution. Particularly popular are reimbursement for public transport (42%), subsidies for car costs (26%) and flexible car rental (21%). "Mobility is a strategic issue for many companies. It is increasingly reflected in values ​​such as sustainability and employer attractiveness," says Gregor Bilik, Managing Director of Arval Austria. Founded in 1989, the company specializes in full-service vehicle leasing and new mobility solutions.

Electric cars and used cars

57% of domestic companies use cars with alternative drive technologies - and the trend is rising: in three years it should be 74%. The reasons for this are primarily lower fuel and operating costs (32% and 29% respectively), but also environmental impacts (31%) and CSR goals (29%). The switch to electric commercial vehicles, however, has slowed slightly. Despite this, almost two thirds see a lack of charging solutions as a brake. Many companies are developing their own charging strategies that include public, company and private charging. "Without a well-thought-out charging infrastructure, electrification remains piecemeal. Arval supports companies in their transition to alternative drives and advises on all questions about e-mobility," says Gregor Bilik. The proportion of used vehicles in company fleets is also increasing: 49% already use used cars and 39% want to use them in the next three years. Used cars are particularly often used as pool vehicles or company vehicles. Commercial vehicles are purchased used less often (9%), but this is likely to increase significantly in the next three years (to 45%). "The trend towards used vehicles is here to stay. Used vehicles are an economical solution - especially in times of high cost sensitivity," says Gregor Bilik. “That’s why at Arval we rely on a mix of new and used cars – a concept that is increasingly in demand among companies.”

Finance leasing in Austria

Cash purchases and finance leasing continue to dominate in Austria. Full-service leasing remains stable at 11% of companies, 24% are planning to switch or expand in the next three years. This puts Austria behind the European average, where 27% of companies already use full-service leasing, and the figure for its German neighbors is even 30% - an indication that domestic companies still have growth potential in this regard. The biggest challenges for fleet managers are the introduction of alternative energy technologies (32%), containing rising total operating costs (28%) and adapting to restrictive government measures on combustion cars (28%). The contribution of corporate mobility to CO2 reduction is still slowly taking effect: 12% of companies have set specific goals for decarbonization, and at least 28% say they are working on it. "Awareness of the advantages of holistic mobility concepts is increasing. We see this as an important step towards a modern, sustainable and efficient fleet," concludes Arval Austria Managing Director Gregor Bilik.