In the first six months of 2020, 20 percent of all newly registered lease vehicles were electric or hybrid. And according to figures by leasing company ALD Automotive, there were no less than 32 percent more hybrids leased than during the same period last year. The number of fully electric and plug-in lease cars also increased by 5% compared to the same period last year, but that increase was considerably lower than the hybrids.
The difference between the two methods for making the lease fleet more sustainable is probably due to the changes to the additional tax liability discount for fully electric vehicles, the improved selection of hybrids and the CAFE norm for manufacturers.
“The lease fleet is becoming more sustainable”, says Jeroen Kruisweg, Director of ALD Automotive. “But we’ve noticed that the hybrid is responsible for an increasingly large share in that process, compared to fully electric cars. An attractive additional tax liability scheme for fully electric mobility would dramatically accelerate that process.”
The additional tax liability for electric cars registered after 1 January 2020 has doubled compared to 2019: drivers of electric lease cars now pay 8 percent lease tax for cars with a suggested retail price of up to a maximum of € 45,000. The driver pays 22% for every euro above that amount.
Hybrid selection
The hybrid is popular because it combines electric mobility with the range of an internal combustion engine. Carmakers are also introducing more hybrid versions to the market, and both the manufacturers and the government support affordable prices for the vehicles, for example through lower motor vehicle tax rates.
Top 10 green registrations 1st half of 2020 (electric, plug-in and hybrid):
1. KIA Niro
2. TESLA Model 3
3. VOLVO XC40
4. VOLVO V60
5. FORD Puma
6. VOLVO XC60
7. AUDI E-tron
8. FORD Mondeo
9. Hyundai KONA
10. FORD Kuga
CAFE norm
The CAFE (Combined Average Fuel Economy) norm limits car manufacturers to emissions of 95 grammes of CO2 per kilometre, regardless of how many vehicles the company sells. This makes it more attractive for manufacturers to sell hybrid and electric vehicles. The norm encourages manufacturers to stimulate people to drive hybrid and electric cars, while reducing the production of inefficient petrol and diesel vehicles.