EV uptake surges among UK rentals

A new report published by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has revealed that the EV uptake in the car rental sector has risen by 200% since 2022.

According to ‘Rental Credentials,’ pure EVs now make up four per cent of the UK car rental fleet. That figure rises to 10% when factoring in hybrids.

This is more double the five per cent seen within the overall UK car parc.

The report also found that since 2018 petrol cars have risen from 48% of the car rental fleet to 73%, while the proportion of diesel vehicles has collapsed from 50% to just 11%.

Rental vehicles

Meanwhile, the report also discovered:

• The average rental car is eight years younger than its privately-owned alternative.
• 58% of car hire and 82% of van hire is with business customers.
• The use of car rental instead of private vehicles saves over 25,000 tonnes of CO2/year.
• Vehicle rental has contributed to the disposal of around 90,000 private cars in the last year.

BVRLA chief executive, Gerry Keaney said:

“Anyone making a significant journey on the road network will pass dozens of unbranded rental vehicles. This report captures the vehicle rental sector’s impact and the scale of its contribution to the UK’s economy and society. Rental is a proactive, innovative industry that policymakers should work with to unlock fairer, more sustainable and affordable mobility in Britain.”