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Diesel still has core role for fleets despite potential scrappage scheme, says Arval

Modern, Euro 6 diesels still have an important role to play for many fleets despite calls for a scrappage scheme to enhance air quality, says Arval. 

Van on track
Arval says there’s a risk that all diesel vehicles will become incorrectly perceived as inherently ‘dirty’

The vehicle leasing and fleet management company said that while it support a potential scrappage scheme to remove old and inefficient diesel vehicles, fleets should realise that newer models offer excellent efficiency and worthwhile environmental advantages.

David Nicholas, fleet consultant, said: “What concerns us is the possibility that modern, Euro 6 diesels, that have a core role to play in the modern fleet mix and offer strong environmental credentials such as low CO2, could somehow become perceived as undesirable.

“This would be limiting for fleets and actually make very little sense in operational terms. Certainly, none of the older vehicles that are likely to be included in a scrappage scheme would be found on fleets in anything but tiny numbers.”

Nichols acknowledged the absolute dominance of diesel in the fleet sector was coming to an end, driven not just by the publicity given to air quality issues but also the development of viable alternatives to diesel.

Nichols added: “We are now entering an era where hybrids, which are being offered by several manufacturers, offer similar or better emissions performance to diesels. It is also often easier to engineer these cars to meet modern emissions standards at an acceptable price.

“Choice lists are gradually changing to reflect these trends. There is no indication that there will be a sudden exodus away from diesel but there are several signals that the direction of travel has changed.”

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Written by Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.

Natalie edits all the Fleet World websites and newsletters, and loves to hear about any latest industry news.

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