Obligation sparks row

RENT-A-CAR companies in the Valencia Region are up in arms about a new obligation enforced by the Generalitat by which at least 9 per cent of new vehicles must be electric. Under the regional Climate Change Law, all firms looking to renew their fleets must, as of this year, include the minimum percentage of battery-run cars.

Managers believe the quota is “unacceptable” given the high cost of electric vehicles and the lack of public charging points in the region, which puts customers off from choosing them.

Spokespeople for the sector reveal that while most vehicles have a use rate of around 85 per cent, the figure falls to 55 per cent for electric vehicles as clients are afraid to run out of battery before they can find a public charging point. Rental firms criticise the Generalitat for not guaranteeing the existence of enough chargers before forcing them to buy electric vehicles. In addition, many existing chargers at service stations and public car parks require downloading a mobile phone app and signing on to use them, which proves an obstacle for foreign drivers who make up the largest percentage of rent-a-car companies’ business.