Features
6 Feb 19

LeasePlan at Davos WEF19

For the second year in a row, LeasePlan attended the World Economic Forum in Davos with the objective to create awareness about sustainable fleet management. This year’s WEF theme was: "Globalization 4.0: Shaping a Global Architecture in the Age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution".

Objectives

Mike Lightfoot, LeasePlan’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, introduced the company’s objectives. Whilst connecting with business leaders, NGOs and governmental representations, LeasePlan attends Davos to promote its climate change agenda and convince the participants of the benefits that electric has to offer. LeasePlan also introduced a new initiative in collaboration with WEF, World Business Council for Sustainable Development and McKinsey, encouraging all last mile delivery vehicle owners to go electric and make urban centres more liveable.

EV Readiness Index

Ahead of Davos, LeasePlan had released its EV Readiness Index (read all about it in our article), a comprehensive analysis of Europe’s preparedness for electric vehicles based on availability of EVs, infrastructure, regulations / incentives and LeasePlan’s self-assessment of EV readiness.

Batteries

The LeasePlan team also attended the "Building a Circular Value Chain for Batteries", organised by the Global Battery Alliance. A circular Value Chain, also called “Closed Loop Supply Chain”, is a manufacturing model by which the consumer delivers the raw material for battery production and recycling is the essential manufacturing mode. Next to the obvious ecological benefits, a closed loop system can also enhance success for battery producers in regions with limited natural resources of cobalt, nickel, aluminium and lithium, such as Europe.

Power of Fleets

LeasePlan’s Tex Gunning, CEO, didn’t leave room for interpretation: “Electrification of cars is here to stay and it is going to be accelerated.” Gunning connected electrification in fleet with the decarbonisation of industry in general and digital disruption. With new business models being forged, new partnerships are being put in place.

Gunning specifically called to electrify corporate fleets; a tweet on LeasePlan’s account reads: “Fleet owners are in a powerful position to help combat climate change, as around 50% of cars on the road belong to companies.”

Last Mile

During a dinner, organised by LeasePlan, Tex Gunning, Peter Bakker, CEO of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and Jesper Brodin, the CEO of Ikea focused on the links between air quality, climate change and congestion from a “last mile” perspective. The 3 industry leaders discussed alternatives to last mile delivery infrastructures, based on electric, without disrupting consumer and business demands.

Authored by: Yves Helven