Just one in four fleets (26%) say that they have been affected by the global semiconductor shortage that’s hit vehicle production and sales globally.

Arval said it was perhaps surprising that as many as three out of four fleets report that there has been no impact on their operation from the chip shortage

Arval Mobility Observatory’s 2022 Barometer explored the affects of the chip shortage on UK operators and found 16% reported having been impacted when acquiring petrol, diesel and electric vehicles; 5% on EVs only; and 5% on petrol and diesel vehicles only. Conversely, 74% say  there has been no impact at all.

Of those who say they have been affected, the top three measures adopted in response include extending the life cycle of current vehicles (83%), speeding up the implementation of EVs (35%) and considering adding other vehicle manufacturers to their policy (11%).

Shaun Sadlier, head of Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK, said: “It is perhaps surprising that as many as three out of four fleets report that there has been no impact on their operations. This is, in our view, quite a high figure. The most likely explanation is that it is largely accounted for by either fleets planning further ahead in their vehicle replacement process, or by the contract extensions that were widely undertaken by many businesses during the pandemic when mileage fell dramatically. These particular fleets have been unaffected by delayed orders either because they have not been trying to replace vehicles, or have not yet really felt the full impact of the extended lead times.

“That line of thinking is backed by the research, which shows that among roughly one in four fleets (26%) who say that they have encountered problems, by far the most common response has been to extend vehicle life cycles. This is a finding consistent with the experience of Arval in the UK.”

A total of 11% of respondents said they’ve considered opening up their choice lists, 9% have opted for used vehicles to meet their needs and 3% have examined the possibility of mobility solutions as an alternative.

Sadlier added that it was notable that over a third (35%) of respondents affected by the shortage believe it will speed up electrification.

“Presumably, in having to wait for vehicle delivery, they have decided to accelerate movement towards their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) targets by leapfrogging a replacement cycle where they would probably have chosen an ICE or PHEV and have instead opted to go straight to an EV, which often have shorter lead times as manufacturers appear to be diverting more of their production to zero-emission vehicles.”