Leasing and rental company fleets pollute less than the average European car parc, both in terms of CO2 and other pollutants, according to a new report from Leaseurope, the European federation of leasing company associations.

The characteristics of leased and rental cars - recent models, engine choice, and regular maintenance - mean they produce fewer emissions.

In addition, leasing and rental companies have the tools - and they use them - to influence drivers’ choice of vehicle and driving behavior, thus resulting in even lower pollution from cars.

Leased and rental cars are on average much younger – generally between six months to four years - than the average car on Europe’s roads and consequently they emit less exhaust gas, such as CO2, NOx and particulate matter.

“Leased and rental cars are young cars that are equipped with the latest CO2-efficient technology and comply with the latest European emission standards; therefore they are much cleaner than non-leased older cars,” says the report.

Leasing companies can also provide their clients with a variety of products that can help their clients reduce their carbon impact.

These include providing the information and resources needed to implement a more eco-friendly fleet; supplying total cost of ownership details, which often results in fleet operators choosing cars that have smaller engines (lower costs), that are fiscally more attractive (defined by environmental taxation) and which help limit emissions.

Other services provided by lease providers that can help reduce emissions include software tools that optimise driving planning, professional driving training, carbon offsetting schemes and monitoring tools of progress towards greener fleets.