ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE: Beat CAZ fees by renting more efficient vans

Date: Thursday, August 10, 2023

Keith Shorter, director, Europcar Vans & Trucks, explains how rental can help businesses navigate clean air zones as well as the current supply and economic challenges.

Businesses that rely on a fleet of commercial vehicles need to find ways to avoid the fees imposed in the increasing number of clean air (CAZ) and low emission zones (LEZ) across the UK.

Newer, more fuel efficient and, therefore, compliant vehicles are expensive to buy, with soaring interest rates making borrowing out of reach for many organisations. They’re currently difficult to source, too, due to supply chain delays.

Yet, for many operations it’s impossible to reduce the number of journeys and therefore reduce fees. So what are the options for staying on the road?

Use rental for fit for purpose business mobility

Long term rental is an effective solution for accessing low emission ICE vehicles. Being CAZ and LEZ compliant doesn’t have to mean switching to electric.

The Europcar fleet includes 10,000 plus commercial vehicles ranging from small panel vans to crew vans, tippers and traffic management drop sides as well as other specialist vehicles.

All vehicles are CAZ compliant – Euro 6 Diesel or Euro 4 Petrol. And long-term rental can be customised with livery, tow bars, internal racking and more to suit each individual customer’s requirements.

Start the EV journey

Europcar is working with a number of businesses to source electric models on long-term rental to avoid CAZ and ULEZ fines without having to make capital investment or impact cash flow.

This approach not only helps meet sustainability targets, it also provides a vital stepping stone on the journey to EV, giving employees true real-world experience before the full switch is made.

Avoid emissions charges

Cut city centre journeys overall or take fewer trips into the CAZ or LEZ by using larger compliant vehicles.
Replace more polluting vehicles by renting newer, more efficient models that are compliant.
Rent compliant vehicles long-term or on an ad-hoc basis.
‘Try before you switch’ by renting zero emissions electric and hybrid alternatives.

The Europcar Vans & Trucks Guide helps identify the best van or truck solution for an organisation’s needs. Commercial vehicle experts at Europcar’s network of 13 specialist supersites can help businesses identify the right solution for each job.

To find out more about how Europcar can support your organisation’s decarbonisation journey visit europcar.co.uk/business or call 0371 384 0140

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