The BVRLA, the UK trade body for the vehicle rental, leasing and fleet sectors, has reported signs of an uplift in demand from leisure customers as holidaymakers turn to rental firms for practical, affordable, flexible and clean vehicles this summer.
Demand from leisure and tourism customers fell off a cliff following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the association is now seeing green shoots as UK holidaymakers are hiring vehicles for staycations.
An increasing number of holidaymakers are also taking their vehicles abroad.
During July, the BVRLA saw demand surge for its VE103B certificates, the documentation required by drivers taking a rented or leased vehicle overseas. The association has also reported a 79% increase in the number of people visiting the Taking a Vehicle Abroad information on the BVRLA website.
BVRLA Chief Executive Gerry Keaney said: “The easing of lockdown restrictions and summer sun has brought a welcome boost to the vehicle rental sector as an increasing number of holidaymakers look to hire cars, motorhomes and campervans to travel to their UK and European holiday destinations.
“During the Covid pandemic, the vehicle rental sector has been helping to keep Britain moving, providing cars and vans to key workers and businesses needing additional vehicles to make essential deliveries. We are now pleased to see some green shoots from the sector’s leisure customers, who represent about 43% of those hiring cars in the UK each year.
“Our members have the cleanest vehicles on the road with 100% of the car rental fleet being Clean Air Zone compliant. Well ahead of the average for all UK cars, where only 62% meet CAZ emission requirements. Add to that the flexibility, affordability and Covid-secure aspect of travelling in a private vehicle, and we can see why the vehicle rental sector is a popular choice for holidaymakers.”
The BVRLA publishes Top Tips for Renting a Vehicle on the association’s website.
Top of that list is to ensure that the company you are looking to hire a vehicle from is a BVRLA member. Not only does it provide the reassurance that you are doing business with a professional company who adheres to an industry Code of Conduct and is subject to an inspection regime, but it also provides the added reassurance of knowing that in the event of an unresolved dispute, you can refer a complaint to the BVRLA’s government-approved Alternative Dispute Resolution Service, at no cost to you.
-ENDS-
Notes to editors:
- BVRLA 2019 Fleet Sustainability Credentials
- Prior to the pandemic, the number of rental transactions in the UK is estimated to be over 16 million per year. Cars account for 11.2 million with vans accounting for a further 5 million. According to the BVRLA Car & Van Rental in the UK report, 43% of those hiring cars are leisure customers.
