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Fleet Operations & Compliance

Improving uptime and tech essential to independent rental in 2026 – BVRLA panel

Peter Rimmer, chief executive at Fleet Dynamic Rental said that getting enough mechanics is a "hard task."

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Speakers on a panel discussing the independent rental market at the BVRLA Industry Insight Conference said that improving uptime and embracing technology are key for the sector in 2026.

Peter Rimmer, chief executive at Fleet Dynamic Rental, said that getting enough mechanics is a “hard task” and that manufacturer workshops are unable to turn vehicles around fast enough.

Rimmer added that extended vehicle replacement cycles have decreased uptime, due to an increase in severe mechanical issues such as snapped timing chains.

Dean Mugglestone, commercial director at TTS360, said that reporting damage quickly is key to improving uptime and that the supply of parts continues to be an issue.

Mugglestone said: “There are pros and cons with electric vehicles (EVs). EVs have fantastic technology in them for avoiding accidents, but when they are involved, the costs are much higher.

“A damaged EV is more likely to be a total loss than an internal combustion (ICE) vehicle.”

Steve Bolton, CEO at PEAC Solutions, said: “2026 is going to be more of 2025.

“Your lender will want a relationship with you that is not arm’s length.”

Bolton said that openness is critical and that honesty is a given in the relationship between lender and rental firm.

Mugglestone said that artificial intelligence (AI) can help firms reduce the question and answer process, but that a personal touch remains important.

Rimmer said: “AI is great, it’s not quite there yet.”

He said that it does not know enough yet and is not quite ready for use in the rental market. Rimmer expects the technology to mature in around three years.

Bolton said: “AI is coming much faster than many of us are expecting.

“The threat from cyber-crime is a real one. Cyber is a threat that has wiped businesses out.”

Per Voegerl, managing director at URG, said that it is easier for independent firms with smaller teams to adopt AI.

Speakers also said that longer-term contracts can provide independent rental firms with increased stability.

Voegerl said that firms should aim to rent electric vans out on terms similar to contract hire.

Bolton said: “If you survive, by definition you become more resilient. This is a curve. We will come out of it.”

Panellists were encouraged by the arrival of new brands from China.

Rimmer said: “There is a lot of opportunity with the Chinese product coming onto the market.

“Chinese brands will change the market for cars, let’s see what happens when the vans come across.”

Mugglestone said: “With emerging manufacturers, there are some great products.”

Voegerl said: “We are really impressed with them. The Chinese are driven by sales, the salespeople set the list price.”

He said that accountants typically set pricing in traditional OEMs and that lower list prices, especially from brands such as Chery, mean that the vehicles can become “almost disposable”, although fleets see little to no discount on list price.

Voegerl said that neither the Japanese or Korean brands were prepared for the pricing of Chinese cars, as manufacturers from both countries have gradually raised prices over the past few years.

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