Fleet Europe Award winners: "Act now to define your vision"
Europe is one of the more mature regions for fleet and mobility but is not without its challenges. Three winners of last year's Fleet Europe Awards talk about their objectives and give tips to tackle the issues of the day that other fleet and mobility managers may also face.
 | Andy Leeden
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What challenges do you expect this year, particularly relating to the category in which you won?
"Availability and lead-times of electrified vehicles are still uncertain despite assurances from OEMs that 2020 will be better. Many of the launches are later in 2020, making renewal planning more challenging."
Did you set specific objectives for 2020?
"Yes, 100% of our fleet renewals in Europe and US will be electrified vehicles."
What tips can you give other European fleet managers, particularly relating to your category?
"Start thinking at least 5 years ahead and ask yourself what the fleet and mobility landscape will look like and what key strategic steps will be required to adapt."
Do you expect any effects of the coronavirus?
"We have already seen impact to vehicle manufacturing due to disruption in the supply chain and this could extend lead-times and require flexibility by clients and suppliers on fleet renewal."
 | Jarno Pajunen
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What challenges do you expect this year relating to the category you won?
"We’re hoping to achieve maturity of the mobility offering, with more companies and more regions in the scope. As was the case last year, we're hoping to find more offering and better coverage."
Did you set specific objectives for this year?
"Not really, we have a long-term plan and long-term objectives and we are not looking at quick wins. Mobility is not something which will be ready this year, and I don’t believe it will be ready next year, either. It is a long-term objective."
Are there tips you can give to other European fleet managers?
"Try to find the best mix for your needs. Companies are different, their needs are different and locations are different. There’s no single unique solution. There are places that are more mature than other places. Don’t wait for the ideal, global solution with global coverage because that may take place some time or it might not happen."
Do you expect effects of the coronavirus?
"I cannot comment on that."
 | Arnaud Willing-Salleron
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What challenges do you expect this year, particularly relating to the category in which you won?
“The first challenge is to substantially increase the share of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in our fleet and to adapt our car policy so it incorporates the effects of WLTP as efficiently as possible.”
“TCO is the key word but it is also important to set up an ecosystem to reflect these changes. For instance, introducing a mobility budget for employees that go electric or building the infrastructure for a charging network.”
Did you set specific objectives for 2020?
“Yes. In the next few weeks we will launch a mobility plan to speed up the takeup of clean vehicles and to encourage staff to go for alternative mobility solutions like carsharing or cycling."
"All these new services will be managed through a new version of our mobile driver app, “MyVEGA”, which will become the portal to access all mobility solutions within Veolia by the spring."
What tips can you give other European fleet managers, particularly relating to your category?
"Define your own vision on what mobility is and define the real needs within your company now. Next, launch simple and concrete initiatives."
"Professionalise your fleet management team and focus on actions to save costs."
Do you expect any effects of the coronavirus?
"So far, it’s only had an impact on our agendas! It does confirm, however, that Europe needs to act to increase its own battery production capacity."
Do you feel your fleet and mobility policy can inspire your peers? Are you the perfect candidate for the 2020 Fleet Europe Awards? Get in touch with us!
