ZEV business leasing demand remains strong as rental fleets lag, finds BVRLA

The Road to Zero Report, released by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), has found that zero emissions vehicle vehicle (ZEV) demand for business leasing has remained strong, while rental fleets have seen lower demand for ZEVs.

The percentage of ZEVs in the business leasing sector has increased to 40%, up from 34% in 2024, driven by increased ZEV demand for company cars, with the sector seeing twice the level of ZEV uptake of the wider market (20%).

Demand for ZEVs from salary sacrifice scheme customers was even higher, at 87%.

Despite an increase in the size of ZEV rental fleets, rental companies saw decreasing demand for ZEVs, with utilisation now at 69% for ZEV cars, compared to 83% for internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, and the 73% ZEV utilisation seen in 2024.

ZEV utilisation for rental vans also decreased, down to 77% from 81%, lower than the 86% of ICE vans.

Personal leasing demand for ZEVs increased, taking up 28% of the market share, up from 16% in 2024.

The report also found that charging at ultra-rapid charge points was more expensive than petrol, with an average equivalent per-litre cost of 190p per litre, compared to average petrol costs of 138p per litre in April.

However, average costs at non-ultra-rapid charge points were lower than petrol, with an average equivalent cost of 124p per litre.