The scheme has been initiated by a group of five environmental organisations, led by the Netherlands Society for Nature and Environment (Stichting Natuur en Milieu). The aim of Cleaner Car Contracts is to mobilise Europe’s largest lease companies and fleet owners to advocate European demand for far more eco-friendly cars and motivate them to sign up for ambitious fleet-average CO2 targets in 2012.

Athlon Car Lease International has become the first European lease company to sign the Cleaner Car Contract with stringent fleet-average CO2 targets for 2012. The leasing company has signed up for a Gold Fleet Cleaner Car Contract, committing it to strive towards a 120g/km target for newly acquired fleets in 2012. Meanwhile, in several participating countries, other lease companies have also signed Cleaner Car Contracts.

'We’re proud of European lease companies like Athlon Car Lease International who are signing up for our Gold Fleet target, thus going beyond what EU regulations require,' said Mirjam de Rijk, director of Stichting Natuur en Milieu.

'Speeding up the introduction of far more fuel-efficient passenger cars is absolutely crucial in tackling the challenges we face towards achieving a decarbonised transport sector,' added Ms de Rijk. 'All lease companies in Europe, as well as their clients, are invited to join the bandwagon and sign a Cleaner Car Contracts. With their 30% share of the market for new passenger cars, they can make a swift transition to more fuel-efficiency reality.'

Leaseurope also lent its support to the initiative. Vincent Rupied, chairman of Leaseurope’s Automotive Steering Group, said: 'The fleet leasing industry is well positioned to develop a business model that reconciles economic and environmental concerns. Initiatives like Cleaner Car Contracts provide us with potential partners to structure this approach.'