Almost one in six fleets are planning some form of restructuring to counter the impact of new WLTP test, according to new research from Arval.

The introduction of WLTP has prompted some fleets to switch to EVs and hybrids which perform better under the cycle

Carried out ahead of the April 2020 introduction of company car tax based on WLTP CO2 figure, the research found 15% of fleet and mobility managers questioned said that they expected to make some adjustment to the cars on offer.

Specifically, 12% said they would offer different models with lower emissions, 7% would use more alternative fuel vehicles, 6% choose models with a lower fiscal impact and 4% reduce the level or category of cars on offer.

The findings come from the 2019 edition of Arval Mobility Observatory, which surveyed 3,930 fleets on a number of fleet and mobility trends.

Shaun Sadlier, head of Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK, said: “Now that WLTP figures are starting to become the norm across fleets, we are seeing how businesses are handling their impact in a real-world manner.

“The fact is that, while the majority of fleets are not planning changes, a significant minority will be redrawing their choice lists and we are already supporting quite a large number of businesses through this process.”

He added: “The ideal outcome for fleets working to accommodate WLTP is to be able to offer a comparable model to each employee but without any kind of taxation penalty. Looking at options with lower emissions, especially alternative fuels, is the obvious route. Certainly, several customers with whom we have been working are now introducing vehicles that perform better under the new test, including hybrids and EVs.

“Our general finding is that, in most cases, new choice lists can be created that resolve most of the issues raised by the switch to WLTP and it is helping some fleets move more quickly towards the wider fuel diversity we expect to see develop over the next few years.”