The 2030 Fleet Rule That Could Redefine Mobility

EU weighs full electric fleets by 2030, driving automakers and leasing firms to rethink mobility

22 Jul 2025

Europe’s electric ambitions may soon move from driveways to depots. The European Commission is considering a rule that would require all new corporate and rental fleet purchases to be electric by 2030, with a 75% interim target in 2027 still under debate. The proposal, though not yet adopted, signals Brussels’ intent to turn businesses into the engine of the continent’s green transition.

Fleet and company vehicles account for roughly 60% of new car registrations in Europe, according to Transport & Environment, a clean-transport group. That makes them a potent instrument for decarbonisation. “Fleet electrification is the quickest way to make electric vehicles mainstream,” argues Julia Poliscanova of the group. Electrifying fleets first could also bolster the secondhand market, making EVs cheaper for private buyers.

For automakers, the rule is both a jolt and a chance. Firms such as Stellantis and Volkswagen are expanding electric line-ups for corporate customers and investing in digital services to stay ahead. The competition, once about horsepower, is now about kilowatts and connectivity.

Leasing and fleet managers, too, are reinventing themselves. Companies like LeasePlan and Arval are offering bundled services, combining vehicles, charging, and energy management. “Businesses no longer want just cars; they want mobility that aligns with their sustainability goals,” says Arval’s head of fleet transition.

But Brussels’ plan faces potholes. Infrastructure gaps, uneven grid capacity, and differing national incentives could slow progress. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association warns of a “two-speed transition” between richer and poorer member states. Details of the rule, including its scope, compliance checks, and timelines, remain under negotiation between the Commission, Parliament, and industry groups.

Even so, optimism hums. Analysts say a binding fleet mandate could spur investment in EV supply chains, charging networks, and local manufacturing. What began as regulatory housekeeping could turn into an industrial revolution, one in which Europe aims to lead not only in setting the rules of the road, but in building the vehicles to drive it.