Fleet management: a rise in rentals and leasing
Renting and leasing commercial vehicles is playing an increasingly important role in the transport and logistics industry. This development has several causes.
Are you still buying, or are you already renting? This question expresses what has long since become the norm in many fleets. Existing truck fleets are usually a mix of purchased, leased and rented vehicles. The proportion of purchased trucks is trending downwards. At least the total number of rental trucks rose by over 20 per cent between 2019 and 2023, from 50,000 to 61,000 (source: BAV).
Leasing has gained in importance
Similar trends can be seen in the leasing sector: according to the German Association of German Leasing Companies (BDL), the volume of new business in the bus, truck, trailer and van segment rose by 14 per cent in 2023. This figure indicates that leasing has gained in importance in the commercial vehicle sector.
There are numerous reasons for this development: renting and leasing offer companies greater flexibility than purchasing vehicles. While avoiding large capital expenditures, the average age of the trucks in their own fleet decreases. Drivers are always on the road with modern, efficient vehicles. The rising purchase costs for commercial vehicles and the increasing maintenance and operating expenses are further arguments in favour of alternative forms of procurement.
Overall, the commercial vehicle rental and leasing sector is characterised by the following trends:
Increasing demand for flexibility: companies do not want to be tied to a fleet in the long term and are reacting more flexibly to seasonal fluctuations or order situations. There is particular demand for short-term rental solutions for express or special transport.
Growing importance of commercial vehicles with electric drive: electric lorries are very expensive to buy, which makes leasing particularly attractive. In addition, many companies test the use of e-trucks on a rental basis before deciding on a long-term fleet strategy.
Growth in full-service leasing: In addition to pure vehicle leasing, complete solutions are increasingly being offered. These include maintenance, insurance, tyre and fuel management, and the use of telematics systems.
Pay-per-use models and kilometre-based billing: Commercial vehicle leasing is increasingly being based on actual use. Instead of fixed leasing rates, providers are increasingly relying on billing based on kilometres driven or operating hours.
Digitalisation and telematics integration: Modern leasing and rental models are increasingly relying on telematics data to analyse usage patterns and optimise maintenance and costs.
Forecast: Due to the high purchase costs for commercial vehicles with electric drives, which are often twice as expensive as diesel trucks, renting and leasing will become more attractive. In addition, battery and charging technologies are developing very quickly. In this context, companies shy away from the risk of high investments and prefer flexible procurement models. Subsidy programmes and tax incentives for low-emission vehicles could also make leasing more attractive, as leasing companies can often pass such benefits directly on to customers.
Conclusion: leasing and renting will continue to gain in importance in the commercial vehicle industry, particularly due to the shift towards alternative drive systems. Companies benefit from lower investment risks, greater flexibility and the opportunity to test new technologies without tying up a lot of capital.