Tax changes in fringe benefits shape strategies for 2025

The rental industry is approaching 2025 with the knowledge that it will be a year of consolidation of current trends, although there is no shortage of targets to be met. The most widespread intentions are to stimulate the electric turnaround starting with mixed-use cars and to maintain sustainability commitments.

"Next year, ESG issues will become even more important," predicts Dario Casiraghi, General Manager of Arval Italia. "Corporate mobility plays a fundamental role and can be useful in influencing various aspects of the company, including the well-being of employees. Our mobility observatory tells us that, in addition to business-related needs, in 48% of cases company vehicles are also strategic for attracting or retaining talent and more generally for increasing employee satisfaction'. The push for electrification will also be accompanied by the revision of company car fringe benefits, as provided for in the forthcoming Budget Law.

"With taxation of 10% for electrics and 20% for plug-in hybrids, respectively, we expect a major push from companies to electrify their car fleets," explains Laura Martini, chief marketing & communication officer of Leasys. For the rental company resulting from the joint venture between Stellantis and Crédit Agricole Consumer Finance, next year will be the year to approach the 2026 targets, including the activation of 50% of new contracts for low-emission vehicles.

"Mobility will continue to evolve towards a gradual transformation into a service," warns Alberto Viano, General Manager of UnipolRental. "Despite this, the car will continue to play a central role, especially for covering long distances and meeting the needs of a nation where over 60% of the population lives outside metropolitan areas. The real challenge will be to develop services capable of effectively integrating users' mobility needs'.

From electrification to digitisation, from sustainability to sharing, major trends are reshaping the sector. "New services and market players are facilitating the transition from vehicle ownership to usage and creating interesting growth opportunities for ambitious players like us," says Antonio Stanisci, commercial director of Ayvens Italia. "At Ayvens we have always worked on developing new solutions aligned with our customers' needs, with a particular focus on sustainability and innovation."