Adapting to the end of the petrol and diesel era will be the biggest challenge facing fleets during the next three years, according to new research from Arval.
Adapting to the end of the petrol and diesel era will be the biggest challenge facing fleets during the next three years, according to new research from Arval.
Almost four in 10 (38%) of businesses believe switching to restrictive public policies on use of internal combustion engined (ICE) vehicles is an issue. That’s up from 32% last year, the 2026 Arval Fleet and Mobility Observatory reveals.
John Peters, head of Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK, said: “As the UK’s 2030 ICE production end date for cars looms, fleets are becoming more and more aware of its implications, as well as the growing effect of the ZEV mandate. It’s no real surprise to see this area rising up the fleet agenda and it may well further grow in importance in future research.”
In contrast, the latest edition of Arval’s annual research shows a long list of subjects that fleet managers are possibly now viewing with reduced urgency
Peters continued: “For example, last year’s highest ranked factor – mitigating increases in the total cost of ownership – has dropped from 48% to 35% year-on-year, implementing electrification electric vehicles from 46% to 33%, and inducing more responsible driving from 39% to 29%.”
Arval emphasised that whole-life costs, driver safety and electrification all remain core to fleet management in 2026 – but said there does appear to have been a reshuffling of priorities and perhaps a general fall in overall anxiety.
“It may be that, with the pandemic and its many fleet issues now starting to recede into the past, fleet managers are just a little less worried generally. Relative to recent years, the situation may feel under greater control.”
In line with that view, several other challenges are holding steady. Adapting to low emissions zones is almost unchanged at 33% now against 32% in 2025, managing longer vehicle delivery times is relatively static at 23% compared to 25%, and implementing other mobility solutions is 9% from 12%.
Peters said: “None of these are becoming less important to fleet managers but also, they’re not developing into bigger concerns. There is a sense of increased stability.”
Finally, Arval compared the UK research to its international data and found similar shifts in priority have been seen across countries with comparable fleet sectors, with 14 European countries placing restrictive ICE practices in first or second place.
Peters said: “As with other major fleet developments in Arval Fleet and Mobility Observatory Barometer, trends across borders appear to be highly consistent.”
Adapting to restrictive public policies on internal combustion engines 38%
Mitigating the increase of total cost of ownership 35%
Implementing electrified vehicles 33%
Adapting to low emissions zones 33%
Inducing more responsible driving 29%
Managing longer vehicle delivery times 25%
Implementing other mobility solutions 12%
