Arval: Driving the Future of Fleet Mobility Through Sustainability, Innovation and Performance

In an era of sweeping transformations across mobility, technology and environmental consciousness, Arval emerges as a defining force in the fleet management sector. As a wholly owned subsidiary of BNP Paribas, Arval combines financial robustness with innovative agility to address the complex challenges facing corporate fleets and mobility solutions worldwide. With a presence in 29 countries, more than 8,000 employees, and an expanding fleet that surpassed 1.7 million leased vehicles in 2023, Arval has cemented its reputation as a leading international player in full-service vehicle leasing and new mobility solutions.

This article explores Arval’s strategic vision, financial performance, sustainability commitment, and its insights into the future of fleet mobility—painting a comprehensive picture for executives, economists, and decision-makers seeking clarity in an evolving landscape.

A Record-Breaking Year: Growth Anchored in Resilience and Vision

Arval reported a stellar 2023, with a 5.6 percent growth in its leased fleet, bringing its total to 1,701,540 vehicles globally. This performance, particularly noteworthy given ongoing supply chain disruptions and global economic uncertainty, illustrates Arval’s adaptability and operational excellence. The company demonstrated robust growth across several key markets: a 7.5 percent increase in the retail segment and 8.1 percent growth in mid-term rental solutions underscore Arval’s success in diversifying its service offerings and appealing to a broad spectrum of corporate and SME clients.

Strategically, Arval continues to benefit from its strong integration with BNP Paribas, leveraging financial stability and cross-functional support to drive innovation at scale. Its recent advances in data analytics and mobility solutions offer a competitive edge in a sector where digitisation and sustainability are no longer optional, but imperative.

The Future of Fleet Mobility: From Cars to Connected Ecosystems

Arval’s white paper on “The Future of Fleet Mobility – Key Trends Shaping 2025” reveals a forward-thinking approach to the seismic changes underway in transport and mobility. The paper identifies four critical pillars influencing the future: electrification, mobility-as-a-service (MaaS), digital transformation and sustainability.

Fleet electrification is poised to dominate the next wave of mobility, driven by regulatory pressure and environmental responsibility. Arval is positioning itself at the centre of this shift by offering tailored electric vehicle (EV) leasing solutions supported by integrated charging infrastructure, energy management tools and total cost of ownership optimisation. The company views EVs not just as an alternative to internal combustion engines but as part of a wider mobility ecosystem.

Mobility-as-a-service is another area of rapid evolution. As corporates seek to manage mobility budgets more flexibly, Arval is actively developing multi-modal mobility solutions. These include shared vehicles, car subscriptions, and partnerships with public transport operators—transforming fleet management from a purely vehicle-centric model to a people-centric experience.

Digitalisation forms the backbone of this transition. Arval’s emphasis on connected vehicles, data-driven services and telematics enables fleet managers to gain real-time insights into vehicle usage, emissions and driver behaviour—leading to safer, greener and more cost-effective outcomes.

Sustainability as a Strategic Imperative

Arval’s commitment to sustainability is neither a tick-box exercise nor a late-stage retrofit—it is a strategic pillar embedded across its operations. The company’s sustainability framework rests on three central ambitions: reducing its carbon footprint, promoting social inclusion and supporting local communities.

By 2025, Arval aims to reduce average fleet CO₂ emissions by 30 percent compared to 2020 levels—a bold objective backed by a range of initiatives, from EV leasing incentives to eco-driving programmes. Through the Arval Beyond strategy, the firm also commits to helping clients transition to low-emission fleets via dedicated consulting, green vehicle availability, and emissions monitoring.

From a social standpoint, Arval takes an inclusive and community-driven approach. The Arval Women in Action programme and initiatives promoting gender parity across leadership roles underline its diversity ambitions. Moreover, Arval supports numerous local environmental and educational projects, reaffirming its role as a responsible corporate citizen.

Importantly, Arval tracks progress with transparency: sustainability KPIs are published annually and audited externally, ensuring accountability to stakeholders and clients.

Battery Resilience and the Secondary Market for Electric Vehicles

Arval’s research into used electric vehicles has yielded encouraging findings for fleet operators and sustainability strategists alike. Contrary to prevailing concerns, electric vehicle batteries demonstrate strong durability, even after several years of intensive use. Studies conducted by Arval reveal that degradation remains minimal, especially in models equipped with advanced battery management systems.

This insight is vital for the maturation of the secondary EV market. As leased electric vehicles reach the end of their initial term, Arval anticipates a growing appetite for pre-owned EVs—particularly among SMEs and retail consumers seeking cost-effective entry points into electrified mobility. The company is already investing in remarketing capabilities and refurbishment standards to support this next chapter.

Moreover, improved battery life aligns perfectly with Arval’s circular economy strategy, where maximising the lifecycle of each vehicle plays a central role in reducing overall environmental impact.

From Ownership to Usership: Arval’s Vision for the Decade Ahead

Arval is not merely navigating the transition to new mobility—it is actively shaping it. At the heart of its mission lies the belief that the future of mobility lies in flexible, sustainable and user-centric solutions. With its powerful ecosystem of partnerships, from energy providers and charging infrastructure firms to public sector institutions, Arval is constructing an integrated mobility platform for tomorrow’s economy.

The company’s “Arval Mobility Observatory” is a strategic initiative that helps decode market trends and emerging mobility behaviours across Europe and beyond. Through continuous research and dialogue with policymakers, Arval is playing an influential role in crafting mobility policies that benefit both business and society.

Additionally, Arval’s efforts to digitise its services, automate administrative tasks and personalise client experiences are rapidly making fleet management more intuitive, accessible and cost-efficient.

A Catalyst for Responsible, Intelligent Mobility

Arval’s trajectory is one of strategic clarity, financial strength and sustainability leadership. In an industry undergoing disruptive change, the company stands out not only for its scale and growth but for its visionary approach to fleet transformation. By investing in electrification, mobility-as-a-service and digital integration—while anchoring all efforts in a firm sustainability ethos—Arval has evolved beyond its origins as a leasing company to become a full-fledged mobility partner.

As the global economy shifts toward decarbonisation, urbanisation and digital interconnectivity, Arval appears exceptionally well-positioned to thrive—and to help its clients do the same.