The company was the first international car leasing firm to have signed the Cleaner Car Contract in four European countries, thus committing to reducing its CO2 emission levels, and has met with EU Commissioner Hedegaard of Climate Action to present the first results of the Cleaner Car Contract initiative.

Since Athlon Car Lease has signed the Cleaner Car Contract in April 2010, several customers in the Netherlands, Belgium, German and Italy have followed their example and signed the contract to reduce the CO2 emission average of their fleet to 120 or 130g/km.

Hans Blink, president of Athlon Car Lease, said: ‘We are very proud to see the great results we have achieved so far. Especially in Belgium where 10 customers have already signed the contract and 50 more are pending, we recognise the need of our customers for sustainability of their fleet which fortifies us in our vision to provide sustainable mobility solutions to our customers.'

Additionally, Athlon has expressed its support for the introduction of a similar regulation for Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) and has challenged the EU’s ENVI committee to take a more ambitious position regarding the target setting on CO2 emissions for LCVs.

In its mission to support customers in making their fleet more sustainable, Athlon Car Lease attended a conference enabling dialogue with representatives from the industry and the Commission to discuss the regulation of CO2 emissions for Light Commercial Vehicles.

Jacq van Roij, executive vice president Athlon Car Lease International, highlighted Athlon’s support to introduce a CO2 emission regulation for LCVs: 'As a car leasing company we highly value any European policies designed to improve the fuel efficiency of road vehicles. Placing a very strong focus on sustainable mobility solutions ourselves, such regulations allow us to better respond to customers needs and offer them more competitive products and services.'

In line with this ambition, Athlon Car Lease has also sent a letter to the Parliament’s environment (ENVI) committee, challenging it to take a more ambitious position regarding the target setting of CO2 emission levels for Light Commercial Vehicles than the Industry (ITRE) committee and calling for the desired target of 135g/km by 2020.