Two recent announcements about cars in European cities show how the way we move around is changing.
In Germany the tax rate for corporate electric cars has been halved and its federal cabinet also pledged to put one million electric cars on the road in the next two years. The Association of German Travel Management e. V. (VDR) says the bill could offer a tax rebate to those using electric or hybrid cars in the future.
"Companies have long been ready to use sustainable electric cars in their fleets. So far, however, the demand among employees has been manageable, because for many, the 1% tax on the still-high purchase price of e-vehicles was simply too expensive," said Christoph Carnier, VDR Presidium Member. "However, in this context, the taxation of the kilometers driven between home and workplace, in addition to the 1%, should be reconsidered." This way, he says, more incentives could be created for manufacturers and users, companies can reduce their carbon footprint and the new vehicles coming to market encourage increased use and more charging points.
Further east in Paris plans to get diesel cars out of the city and subsidise other transport kicked into motion in May. This, along with other factors, is fuelling a car-sharing trend. "The transport requirements of residents in the Ile-de-France region are changing fast, in terms of both practicality and immediacy. We are currently registering over 1,200 bookings per week," says Emmanuel Nedelec, managing director of car-sharing firm Ubeeqo France, which is doubling its number of cars in Paris by the end of the year.
Not all business happens in cities but they are the places where we see the likes of Uber shake up the taxi industry and now it appears car-sharing and electric modes are picking up. Let's not also forget that with car ownership down many will turn increasingly towards public transport.
While not all travel managers deal with fleet programmes many may have seen, or will see, an increase in taxi, rail and public transport spend. Are these options properly integrated into the usual workflows?
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