Ayvens to procure 19,000 electric transporters
These vehicles are to be used primarily in Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands, as announced by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Ayvens. According to the European Investment Bank, this is the first green EIB loan for light electric commercial vehicles in Europe. The EIB is providing a loan of 350 million euros on favourable terms. Ayvens, for its part, is contributing the same amount.
Ayvens will not use the light electric commercial vehicles itself, but will lease them to its customers. Companies such as delivery services, tradespeople and last-mile logistics providers are increasingly reliant on electric delivery vans in order to be allowed to enter some city centres. Low emission zones are described by the EIB as ‘an important means of restricting vehicle access’ and are intended to ensure better air quality in European cities.
It is precisely the establishment of these low-emission zones, which will increase by 2030, that is one of the main reasons why light commercial vehicles are increasingly being equipped with electric drives. As the vehicles are generally still noticeably more expensive to purchase than their familiar diesel counterparts, the often small companies or self-employed delivery drivers are dependent on favourable leasing offers in order to switch to an electric van.
The exact vehicles that Ayvens will procure are not clear from the almost identical press releases from the EIB and Ayvens. However, the press photo published with the announcement shows Fiat e-Ducatos. It is not known whether the light commercial vehicles will also include smaller vans in the five-metre class.
“This new finance agreement with Ayvens demonstrates the EIB’s leading role in finding innovative financial solutions for decarbonising Europe’s vehicle fleet and the transition to a low-carbon economy,” said EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle. “We are proud to help develop the supply of electric vehicles to SMEs, which are among Ayvens’ most important customers.”
Patrick Sommelet, Group Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Ayvens, added: “This new co-investment contributes to the funding diversification of our activities and to our sustainability strategy. But most of all, it marks an important step forward in providing our clients accessibility to a wider range of eLCVS, at attractive prices. Ayvens plays an important role in supporting clients as they face market complexity on their electrification journey. LCVs are essential work tools, and they must remain fit for purpose regardless of the powertrain.”
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