Romanian businesses are showing growing confidence in their fleet strategies, with 88% of companies expecting their vehicle fleets to remain stable or expand in the coming years, according to Arval Mobility Observatory. Notably, 24% of respondents anticipate fleet expansion.
Business growth is cited as the main driver behind this expansion (76%), followed by human resources demands such as recruitment and employee retention. This is prompting a structural shift in how companies approach mobility.
Leasing and Second-Hand Vehicles Gain Ground
Against the backdrop of economic pressures and a drive for greater efficiency, Romanian companies are increasingly turning to second-hand vehicles, now used by 44% of respondents. These are primarily deployed as company cars or integrated into employee benefit schemes.
At the same time, operational leasing is emerging as a preferred financing solution, with 44% of companies planning to initiate or expand leasing contracts within the next three years. Already, 17% identify leasing as their primary fleet funding method, indicating a maturing outlook on cost optimization and resource allocation.
Alternative mobility solutions are also being explored. 24% of businesses are using or considering short- to medium-term rentals, while 20% are piloting options like public transport reimbursements and dedicated mobility budgets—initiatives largely driven by talent retention strategies (cited by 38–47%) and corporate sustainability objectives (mentioned by 37–46%).
Electric Mobility: Commitment Despite Infrastructure Gaps
Fleet electrification remains a key goal, though actual implementation still lags. While 59% of Romanian companies have adopted or plan to adopt green vehicle technologies, only 28% have done so to date, significantly trailing the 56% European average.
The primary barrier remains insufficient charging infrastructure, cited by 77% of respondents. Nonetheless, 87% of companies are either developing or planning a charging strategy, underscoring a proactive stance despite structural challenges and highlighting an urgent need for network investment.
Telematics and Data: An Untapped Resource
Digital transformation is also gaining traction, particularly through telematics solutions, now used by 42% of Romanian firms for their light vehicle fleets. However, only 11% are currently leveraging the data for performance insights, pointing to significant unrealized potential in areas such as route planning, fuel efficiency, and cost control.
Sustainability Moves Up the Corporate Agenda
Sustainability is transitioning from concept to execution. 12% of companies have already set decarbonization targets, while another 26% are in the evaluation phase. Over the next three years, Romanian companies identify their top mobility-related challenges as complying with stricter internal combustion engine (ICE) regulations (40%), accelerating fleet electrification (38%), or containing rising total cost of ownership (31%).