The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Ayvens, a leading global sustainable mobility player, signed in December 2024 a new financing agreement to rollout a fleet of 19.000 electric light commercial vehicles (eLCV) in Europe, primarily in Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands, over the next three years.
This agreement, which breaks down into a 350 million euros credit envelope granted by the EIB (on favourable financial conditions) and an equivalent EUR 350 million co-investment made by Ayvens, will help companies to finance their electric transition.
Low-emission zones (LEZs) have emerged as a key urban vehicle access regulation for improving air quality in European cities and are explicitly recognised as a primary clean air measure in the “EU Mission for Climate-neutral and Smart Cities” Programme.
Consequently, the adoption of LEZs has become widespread across Europe in recent years and is expected to increase substantially by 2030 as cities work towards achieving EU air quality standards and climate neutrality goals .
The development of these zones throughout Europe is one of the main drivers in the transition of LCV fleets to electric ones.
However, transitioning to electric remains challenging for drivers and customers, as there are barriers that need to be overcome, such as vehicle availability, affordability, charging infrastructure, and grid capacity.
The constantly evolving regulatory framework is also impacting the growth of the eLCV market.
Patrick Sommelet, Group Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Ayvens, states: “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. With industry-leading consultancy tools and expert fleet advice, our objective is to facilitate a seamless transition to electrification while safeguarding business continuity,” he adds.
Ambroise Fayolle, EIB Vice-President: “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.”
He continues: “We are proud to help develop the supply of electric vehicles to SMEs, which are among Ayvens’ most important customers.”
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