Earlier this year ACA research conducted a fleet survey to follow up on the ground breaking research performed in 2018. At FAN we dug deep into the data looking for trends or interesting facts. And we found that a large number of fleets still like to own their vehicles.
Some of the old timers in the office were able to remember similar research from the noughties, also conducted by ACA, which said that 50% of fleets purchased their vehicles. So despite the rising complexities of managing a fleet, the GFC, and other significant accounting changes over the last 15 years, the question of whether to own or lease has not been conclusively answered.
Cars ands SUVs are more likely to be leased than Light Commercial vehicles and trucks. Companies with less than 100 vehicles lean towards ownership while larger fleets (500+ vehicles) are more likely to lease cars and own trucks.
Even government departments can’t decide which is the better option. Local Governments like to own all their assets. State and Federal Governments have the highest percentage of leased vehicles in all categories.
The survey was focused on the adoption of electric vehicle so they asked the question; “If you intend to utilise EVs in the next 12-24 months, how do you intend to purchase the EVs?”
Respondents were split into three categories of EV Maturity – Pre-consideration, Starting Out and Mature. The responses leaned towards outright purchase which correlated with the Local Government responses which placed them further along the EV Maturity Scale and a preference towards fleet ownership.
Using this research manufacturers can develop a roadmap for the introduction of electric vehicles and help Australian on the road to electrification.
