Key Highlights
- The COVID-19 pandemic had a mixed impact on the van rental market. With the production halt across the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for new vans, the demand for vans for various cargo and last-mile delivery purposes was fulfilled by using rental schemes across the European region. However, with restricted cash flow, a significant reluctance of people towards utilizing new rental services over the existing vehicles has negated the positive impact due to the pandemic.
- Over the long term, the increasing electrification could potentially reduce the opportunities for van rentals. Huge incentives offered by governments of different countries in the European region for the purchase of electric vehicles and commercial electric vehicles could potentially reduce the need for rental services if the products are offered at a lucrative price for the buyers. This factor could reduce market opportunities and hinder market growth.
- However, major players in the market are focusing on electrifying their rental fleets. For instance, in January 2023, by 2025, rental giant Hertz plans to make up to 25,000 electric vehicles (EVs) accessible for rent to Uber drivers in European capitals. During 2023, the program will be expanded to other European capitals, including Paris and Amsterdam.
- In addition, European Van rental companies cater majorly to tourists looking to explore the destinations in their own time, with online and walk-in booking services makinqg van rental more simple, accessible, and efficient. Relaxation of travel restrictions post-pandemic and increasing inflow of tourists into the market to create a positive outlook for the market during the forecast period.
Europe Van Rental Market Trends
Business Rental Segment Anticipated to Hold Major Share in the Market
- The rise in commercial activities in the European region and the increasing logistics sector are expected to help Europe's van rental market grow during the forecast period. It will likely continue to grow during the forecast period as it helps European businesses meet the peaks and troughs of seasonal demand by providing suitable vans for the job at short notice, without any penalties or commitments.
- Vehicle rental firms generally serve customers who need a temporary vehicle, such as those who do not own a vehicle, out-of-town tourists, or owners of damaged or destroyed automobiles awaiting repair or insurance settlement. Furthermore, with the growing logistics industry and the emergence of new e-commerce enterprises, rentals are the greatest way to lower their initial investment in purchasing delivery vans. Many Logistics company rents vans to lower their investments instead of purchasing new vehicle.
- Vans find usage in several applications and segments of the European economy, i.e., construction, postal and courier services, law enforcement, and light-duty passenger transport applications. The demand has significantly grown owing to the logistics and last-mile delivery needs of e-commerce giants like Amazon expanding its fleet.
- Also, due to stringent emission norms active in the European region, many companies are switching their fleets to electric. Several rental platforms partner with EV manufacturers to procure vehicles for their fleets.
- For instance, in March 2022, the Science Based Targets initiative validated Europcar Mobility Group's corporate greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, which were deemed to be in accordance with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) criteria and recommendations. The Group's strategy of actively contributing to the low-carbon transition by encouraging the shift from vehicle ownership to usage while empowering its customers to use green mobility solutions is reinforced by the approval of these carbon reduction targets.
- Also, Europe's fast-expanding e-commerce market, which is seeing growth, is pushing the demand for a more modern distribution network, which is growing as the e-commerce business expands across Europe, pushing demand for van rentals for business purposes.
United Kingdom Expected to Play Significant Role in the Market
- According to the financial service provider, compared to the same period in 2022, it experienced a parabolic rise in van rental bookings in November. It is due in part to increased "festive demand" for larger vehicles as customers plan family vacations and an increase in van rentals to meet home delivery demands, according to the financial service provider.
- According to them, the semiconductor shortage limits new vehicles available to the UK market, forcing Brits to hire vehicles that are either larger or more dependable than their current automobiles.
- The van rental sector is also experienced a winter boom, which Volkswagen Financial Services blames on customers shopping for Christmas gifts online. According to the business, the global chip scarcity is also affecting the van industry, which claims that rental vehicles are assisting fleet operators in expanding their ranks to meet the rising demand.
- The UK van rental market has a strong presence of key players like Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, Avis Budget, and others. For instance, in January 2022, in the United Kingdom, the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) formed a new relationship with Europcar to deliver a fleet of 100 electric vans.
- The LEVC VN5 is now available in eleven cities at Europcar Vans and Trucks rental locations. The LEVC van is available for rent at Europcar locations. The agreement is part of Europcar's 'One Sustainable Fleet' initiative, which focuses on Clear Air zones, which are becoming increasingly common in UK cities. Based on these factors, the UK market is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period.
Europe Van Rental Industry Overview
The Europe Van Rental market is a moderately consolidated market with key players like Hertz Global Holdings Inc, Enterprise Holdings Inc, Europcar Mobility, Fraikin SA, Lease PLC, and Sixt SE. These players are actively engaged in the market and are focused on designing growth strategies like fleet expansions and collaborative agreements to improve their considerable share in the market.For instance, in October 2022, Hertz and Palantir Technologies Inc. announced a multi-year partnership to use real-time, data-driven insights to drive operational excellence at Hertz and improve the customer experience. This investment is part of Hertz's ongoing commitment to modernize its technology platforms to lead in electrification, shared mobility, and customer experience. Hertz is using the Palantir Foundry operating system to build a platform to help the company manage and operate its nearly 500,000-vehicle fleet, including tens of thousands of EVs, more efficiently.
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Table of Contents
Companies Mentioned (Partial List)
A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes, but is not limited to:
- Avis Budget Group Inc.
- Enterprise Holdings Inc.
- Europcar Mobility Group
- Hertz Global Holdings Inc.
- OK Mobility Group
- Peugeot Europe
- SIXT SE
- Fraikin SAS
- Euro Hire Drive
- One Way Van
Methodology
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