Carmakers BMW and Toyota, along with major rental and leasing companies across Europe, are asking the European Commission not to impose compulsory electric-vehicle purchase targets on corporate fleets. They argue that such a policy would be extremely costly and could even slow down the shift to cleaner transport rather than speed it up.
Their appeal comes ahead of the EU’s upcoming policy package, expected on December 16, which will outline new proposals that may relax some emissions rules and revisit the planned 2035 phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars.
Corporate fleets account for roughly half of all new car sales in Europe, so any mandate would have wide-reaching effects. In a joint letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the 67 signatories said the biggest barriers to adopting electric vehicles remain high purchase and running costs, as well as inadequate charging infrastructure. They warned that forcing companies to meet fixed EV quotas would push many firms to either keep old vehicles on the road longer or cut back on buying new ones altogether.
The signatories argue that countries with the strongest EV growth achieved it not through mandates but through incentives and major investment in charging networks. They also stressed the need for policies that support the second-hand EV market, since most leased vehicles are resold within two to three years. Without financial support and better infrastructure, they say, businesses will struggle to make the shift at the pace the EU wants.
Those pushing for mandatory targets disagree. Climate Group, a global campaign organisation, says firm requirements are necessary and notes that over 120 multinational companies including EDF, Ikea, Siemens and Unilever have already pledged to switch their fleets entirely to electric. As the EU prepares to release its delayed automotive package, the debate has intensified, with lobbying efforts from all sides growing louder.