The push toward sustainable mobility is no longer an optional commitment for corporations; it has become a pressing necessity. As governments tighten environmental regulations and investors demand greater accountability, companies face mounting pressure to cut emissions while maintaining efficiency.
Against this backdrop, ERA Group, a consultancy specializing in cost optimization and supplier management, has presented its roadmap for sustainable fleet management. The plan is designed to help businesses make the transition toward cleaner, more efficient mobility while aligning with global sustainability targets.
Global context
According to the OECD’s Global Corporate Sustainability Report 2024, 70% of companies have already announced targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and nearly half have set 2030 as their deadline. ERA Group warns that failing to act today comes with significant risks: the financial and environmental costs of inaction could ultimately be higher than the investment required to overhaul fleet operations now.
Their roadmap outlines a comprehensive strategy that blends environmental imperatives with economic logic, encouraging companies to treat sustainability as both a responsibility and a source of competitive advantage.
Fleet analysis and goals
The process begins with an exhaustive analysis of each company’s fleet. ERA Group gathers and harmonizes data covering vehicle inventories, operational policies, supplier contracts, and actual costs. By bringing together information at both global and local levels, the consultancy provides a precise diagnosis that highlights inefficiencies, duplications, and areas where improvements can generate measurable impact.
This diagnostic stage then feeds into the definition of clear and measurable objectives. Companies are encouraged to set goals not only for cost reduction and service quality, but also for achieving environmental benchmarks, from reducing emissions to adopting electrification strategies. These objectives are crafted with an awareness of associated risks, fiscal considerations, and supplier reciprocity agreements.
Procurement and partnerships
Once goals are in place, ERA Group guides companies through the procurement process. This involves issuing tenders to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to secure advantageous conditions on vehicles, such as discounts and standardized models that simplify both maintenance and global fleet management.
Parallel to this, the consultancy works on tendering service providers across areas such as maintenance, insurance, tire management, fuel cards, and alternative mobility solutions. The emphasis is on establishing pricing and service-level agreements underpinned by key performance indicators that ensure consistency and quality across international operations.
Implementation and policy alignment
The roadmap does not end with procurement. ERA Group also manages the implementation phase, coordinating the transition with selected suppliers, integrating digital tools such as vehicle configurators, and documenting new processes. For multinational companies, this step often includes negotiating an International Framework Agreement, complemented by Local Market Agreements that take into account specific legal and fiscal environments.
Finally, the consultancy assists in aligning or updating global fleet policies to reflect the new agreements, processes, budgets, and sustainability objectives. These policies are structured to balance general principles with country-specific details, ensuring both flexibility and compliance.
Competitive advantage
“Sustainability is not only an environmental imperative but also a competitive advantage,” said Fernando Vázquez, consulting partner at ERA Group Spain. “Our mission is to help companies strategically connect mobility and sustainability, improving efficiency, reducing costs, and minimizing environmental impact.”
Founded in 1992, ERA Group has grown into a global management consultancy with more than 1,000 professionals operating in over 60 countries. Its work spans strategic advisory, supplier negotiations, and cost efficiency, supporting organizations that want to transform data into opportunities. With the unveiling of its roadmap for sustainable fleet management, the consultancy is signaling that the future of corporate mobility lies at the intersection of efficiency, innovation, and environmental responsibility.
Sources:
- ERA Group PR.
