Will companies soon be forced to drive 100% electric? A good idea... or almost

The president of the Environment Committee of the European Parliament has ruled in favor of making it mandatory for all company fleets to be made up exclusively of electric cars. A measure that could enter into force as early as 2030, but would not be as relevant if it were adopted alone.

From 2035, car manufacturers will no longer have the right to sell new thermal cars throughout the European Union. Thus, the objective of this measure is reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100% of the industry But before this deadline, other policies will also be implemented to accelerate the sales of electric models.

fleets in sight

Obviously, individuals are the target, in particular the development of ZFEs almost everywhere in France or the increase in the ecological tax. But companies are not left out either. Indeed, since January 1, 2022, the Mobility Orientation Law establishes that companies with a fleet of more than 100 vehicles must buy at least 10% electric cars or plug-in hybrids during park renovation.

A figure that will increase to 20% in 2024 and that it will reach 40% in 2027. In addition, as of January 1, 2030, electric cars or plug-in hybrids must represent at least 50% of the fleet of each private company. Then they must exhibit maximum emissions of 50 grams of CO2 per kilometer. We imagine that plug-in hybrids will be quickly phased out of the system, due to the distorted method of calculating their CO2 emissions.

But this calendar, detailed in article 77 dated December 24, 2019 of the LOM, could finally evolve. In fact, the European Union now wants to pick up the pace, as confirmed by Pascal Canfin, the current chairman of the European Parliament’s environment committee. The latter has in fact spoken to the site. self-actingclaiming then to be 100% of corporate fleet purchases are electric vehicles by 2030« .

At the moment, nothing is registered yet, while it is just a simple declaration. Also, it is not known if plug-in hybrid models will also be affected, as is currently the case. Which would be ecological nonsense, when several studies have shown that this motorization is especially harmful to the planet.

For the environment… but not only

This measure, if it finally sees the light, would actually have several objectives. The first would obviously be to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce polluting emissions from car traffic. And this even though we know that the electric car is not perfect either, in various aspects such as lithium extraction. Although this year batteries without lithium (sodium) arrive.

But there is a second reason for this desire to force companies to switch to electricity. This would be particularly useful for feed the second hand market, while the company’s fleets are renewed periodically. Thus, the most modest households will then have the possibility of affording an electric car more easily, pending the social leasing promised by Emmanuel Macron, which has not yet arrived.

Replace the thermal car… by the bicycle?

However, this measure still has its limits. In the first place, betting on the renovation of cars, and therefore on the manufacture of new ones, is a real nonsense, when we know that Lithium mining consumes a lot of energypolluting, and often done under unethical conditions, especially in China. Especially since experts fear a shortage in the coming years, due to the strong demand, which is expected to increase even more.

Then it could be interesting to offer more help in the field of rehabilitation, for example. Or limit the number of company vehicles, relying more on public transport. We can also approach softer forms of mobility, such as electrically assisted bicycles or electric scooters.

In addition, care will also have to be taken to fight against the invasion of Chinese manufacturers, which also worries specialists. While the government plans to give an eco-bonus only to cars made in Europe or France, a similar measure could be considered for companies. Perhaps with aid for those who buy cars produced here.