Fleets continue to be affected by vehicle supply challenges, but it’s having an unexpected positive of driving the switch to EVs.

Shaun Sadlier, head of the Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK

Research from the Arval Mobility Observatory shows that almost a third of fleets (31%) say the semiconductor shortages are affecting their ability to acquire new cars and vans. Some 17% have been affected by supply issues across electric vehicle, petrol and diesel vehicles, while 8% have seen an effect on EVs only and 7% just on petrol and diesel vehicles.

It’s led to a range of actions, with almost three-quarters (74%) extending the life cycle of current vehicles, more than half (51%) speeding up the implementation of EVs on their fleet, a quarter (25%) buying or leasing used vehicles rather than new, 21% adding a wider range manufacturers to choice lists, and 11% turning to other forms of mobility.

Shaun Sadlier, head of Arval Mobility Observatory in the UK, said: “Overall, it is not an exaggeration to say that the whole management of vehicle choice, acquisition and maintenance has been affected by these shortages, and fleets and their suppliers have had to do much to find new ways of both running existing vehicles for longer and identifying other means of supply. It’s brought about fundamental change.”

But one unexpected positive is that more than half of fleets (51%) say supply issues have sped up their transition to electrification.

“While there has been an increase in the average delivery time for all fuel types, the lag for EVs has been significantly less with many manufacturers choosing to concentrate production on this type of vehicle. Certainly, Arval UK reports that many of the businesses with which it works are effectively skipping a planned replacement cycle to move towards full electrification sooner than originally intended.”

Have your fleet renewals been impacted by the semiconductor shortage?

Yes, we have been impacted on EV, petrol and diesel vehicles – 17%
We have seen some impact on EVs – 8%
We have seen some impact on petrol and diesel vehicles – 7%
There has been no impact – 68%

What actions have you taken in response to the semiconductor shortage (base: companies that have been impacted by semiconductor shortage)?

Extended the life cycle of current vehicles – 74%
Speed up the implementation of EVs on our fleet – 51%
Included used vehicles to cover new vehicle supply issues – 25%
Added new manufacturers to our choice lists – 21%
Used other forms of mobility to cover vehicle supply issues – 11%

To discover more about the Arval Mobility Observatory and the 2023 Barometer findings, click here.