The Automotive Update: What fleets learnt about electromobility at Flotte
26 March 2026
Fleets flocked to Flotte in Germany, with industry experts taking to the stage to share vital insights. Autovista24 editor Tom Geggus finds out what happened at the event in the latest Automotive Update podcast.
In this episode, Dr Christof Engelskirchen, chief economist and director of professional services, Europe, JD Power, shared his Flotte insights. This includes electrification, the role of fleets, and the opportunities and risks for these businesses.
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Fleets and Flotte
Taking place between 25 and 26 March in Düsseldorf, Germany, Flotte welcomes Germany’s fleet industry experts and decision makers.
Among them was a team from JD Power, including Dr Christof Engelskirchen, who gave a presentation at Flotte. His session was titled ‘E-mobility in the headwinds – fleets as a beacon of hope and risk factor’. Speaking with Autovista24 editor Tom Geggus, he outlined some of the major points from this presentation.
Of all the topics that could be presented to a room full of fleet professionals, one stood out: electrification. Fleets play an important role in the push towards electric vehicles, while the technology presents big risks and opportunities.
Fleets behind the steering wheel
In major EU new-car markets, electrification continues to be a subject in the headlights. Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) currently make up under 30% of new-car registrations in each of Germany, France, Italy and Spain, according to ACEA.
‘That is a long way to go when you consider what the EU has been prescribing, which used to be a 100% tailpipe CO2 emission reduction by 2035 and is now becoming a 90% reduction,’ Engelskirchen said. ‘So, we have that gap that needs to be bridged.’
One of the biggest markets in the region, contributing heavily to the powertrain development, is Germany. With a large fleet industry making a significant proportion of registrations, these businesses will be vital to electrification.
Weighing things up at Flotte
There are sizeable opportunities for fleets within this transformation. Engelskirchen outlined that one of the biggest opportunities is the additional volume that is running through leasing companies and banks.
Other buyers, such as private consumers and other companies, may not want to hold BEV asset risks. But this is not a result of disliking the powertrain. It is because it is not their core business to manage asset risks. Instead, this is the business of banks and leasing companies, Engelskirchen outlined.
Leasing companies are now shifting their portfolios from what was 95% internal-combustion engine vehicles towards a greater balance. By 2035, it is conceivable that these fleets will have changed massively in favour of BEVs. However, this transition brings about its own risks.
‘You do need to get your head around the different residual value and depreciation profiles of electric vehicles. It is very dynamic,’ said Engelskirchen. ‘It certainly requires additional variables to consider in your risk management.’
