Quarter of UK fleets predict growth over next three years, cite business growth as key driver, Arval finds

More than one in four (28%) UK fleets expect to increase their vehicle numbers by 2028, according to data from the Arval Mobility Observatory 2025 Fleet and Mobility Barometer.

While this represents a decline from the 38% recorded in 2024, it still points to a generally positive outlook, with 65% of fleets expecting their numbers to remain stable and only 6% anticipating a reduction.

European fleets recorded 24% growth expectations and 7% contraction, while global figures stood at 27% growth and 7% contraction.

In the UK, car-only fleets showed more varied responses, with 34% expecting growth and 12% predicting a decrease – more polarised than their European and global counterparts.

Among the UK’s largest businesses, 30% foresaw growth and just 3% expected a reduction in fleet size.

Small companies (with one to 99 employees) were similarly optimistic, with 29% projecting growth.

Medium-sized firms (with 100 to 999 employees) were slightly more cautious, with 26% predicting expansion and 8% expecting contraction.

John Peters, head of Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK, said: “We believe that these figures reflect some concerns about the general strength of the economy among businesses but it should also be recognised that having more than a quarter of fleets expecting to expand remains a positive outlook, and that the potential for contraction is seen to be very limited.”