Arval: mobility for work and life
3 min
Today, many employees see mobility as a need they address with their employer. They have moved beyond relying solely on the private car to get around, instead using a mix of mobility solutions – private, public and mixed. Belgian companies are therefore increasingly looking for expert advice on the perfect mobility mix, adapted to their own professional needs and the needs of their staff. Arval’s mobility specialists show how mobility is evolving and how to handle it accordingly. This not only takes knowledge, but also guidance to support employers in this area.
Philippe Kahn, Mobility Solutions Expert, sums up Arval’s vision and mission: “Life is a journey made of journeys. This means that we at Arval are constantly asking ourselves how we can support and relieve small, medium-sized and large enterprises in all the mobility issues they face. Our DNA as a supporter is built on two key aspects that add value: personal and sustainable mobility*. From individual firms to large companies, Arval offers its corporate know-how and provides a one-stop-shop solution."
* Sustainable mobility: mobility with lower greenhouse gas emissions, which promotes electrification, soft mobility and/or public transport.
Sustainable mobility: a natural progression
Many companies are now fully focused on sustainable mobility or are evolving in this direction. This means not only opting for electric cars, but also looking at new mobility solutions with an open mind. Arval has a role to play in this: all customers are informed and guided in their pursuit of sustainable mobility. For many companies, new mobility solutions such as Arval Bike Lease, Arval Car Sharing and the future budget management tool are key to a balanced mobility strategy.
A big asset in the “war for talent”
Moreover, all these options are not just seen as pure transport options but fit into a Human Resources strategy that companies are deploying in the “war for talent”. Philippe Kahn is increasingly dealing with companies that prioritise mobility solutions. They see it as an opportunity to strengthen the bond with their employees or to attract new ones.
Kahn explains: "Many companies think about their location in terms of mobility. For example, they prefer the proximity to a mobility hub, such as a major railway station like Brussels-Central or Antwerp-Berchem. This allows them to offer their employees the full mix of mobility options, including coming to work by bike or scooter, traveling by pool car or train, using buses and shared cars, and more. And they can pay for all this with the mobility budget they receive from their employer."
Added value: business and personal
Arval’s budget management tool provides companies with a comprehensive overview of all their employees’ used mobility solutions and the associated costs. This is just one aspect of the added value companies get. Mobility consulting is also an integral part of what Arval offers.
Kahn: "If a company of around 100 employees plans to move to the centre of Antwerp, we sit down with them to see what new mobility solutions they'll need and how much it will all cost. This way, we're truly part of the team and together we look at the effects of all possible mobility solutions on their future. This is customisation, where we put our expertise at the service of our customers."
This expertise often leads companies to take a step forward in their business management and to better support their staff."
Kahn continues: "The days of using an Excel file to keep track of pool car usage are over. Apps on phones or computers make everything easier and smoother. They keep track of the location of pool cars between the various branches and blur the line between pool and shared cars. For example, employees can use a car privately during the weekend – albeit for a fee – and for business travel during the week. Support for leasing an electric bicycle is also included. Arval relieves employers and gives them extra assets to support their employees in their private mobility too. Through their mobility offerings, companies can support their employees' daily lives, both in and out of the office.”