Expecting on the modal shift to happen organically is naïve

According to Kathleen Veugelen of KPMG in Belgium and Frédéric Blaisot of Schneider Electric, green mobility - a crucial factor in the fight against climate change - extends far beyond electric cars.

When it comes to corporate sustainability, few aspects have as much impact as the way we get to and from work. Nearly a quarter of Belgium's CO2 emissions come from transportation, with road traffic accounting for a staggering 96 percent of that. “The Belgian fleet market is 40 percent electric, and that share is on the rise,” says Kathleen Veugelen, Executive Manager at KPMG in Belgium.

A specialist on the cafeteria plan and mobility budget, Veugelen knows better than anyone how important company cars are in Belgium. “In the greening of our country, the electrification of the fleet plays a major role. You can already see the effects: vehicles without combustion engines have become more financially appealing, prompting more people to opt for them. At the same time, many companies consider sustainability a crucial aspect of their ESG policies.”

Electric cars are one aspect, but green mobility extends beyond that. Veugelen: "Typical alternatives are public transport, cycling or using a speed pedelec. We notice that younger generations place less importance on company cars or prioritize sustainable mobility more. The focus is shifting from a company car policy to a general mobility policy, allowing employees to make à la carte choices with a fixed budget. Mobility apps like Olympus and other players on the market are lowering that barrier.”

Schneider Electric regularly monitors how its staff commute - according to Frédéric Blaisot, HR Vice-President Belgium and the Netherlands at the global energy management specialist. “We currently work in Uccle, and 80 percent of employees come by car. We have been undergoing a green transition for a few years now, offering lease bicycles and electrifying our fleet of vehicles. These initiatives are supported by an internal awareness campaign. We are gradually replacing the vans that our technicians use to drive to customers with electric vehicles.”

Following those initial steps, Schneider Electric, together with KPMG, introduced a cafeteria plan and the federal mobility budget. Employees thus get to manage their budgets themselves. “With the federal mobility budget, they can use part of it to cover housing costs or make alternative mobility choices instead of opting for a company car,” says Veugelen. “The mobility budget can also be perfectly combined with a cafeteria plan. This is not just for large companies. Even SMEs are introducing cafeteria plans or starting with a slimmed-down version that focuses on cycling and extra-legal holidays.”

In addition to policy, it is important to encourage green behavior, says Veugelen. “You can give benefits to those who choose environmentally friendly modes of transportation. Employees who come to work by public transport, bicycle or carpooling save up budget that can be paid out later or converted into another benefit in the cafeteria plan. Above all, don't think that people will start cycling just because you introduce an app. You need to roll out concrete actions and provide information about alternative ways to get to the workplace. Expecting the modal shift to happen organically is naive.”

Schneider Electric primarily focuses on the ecosystem needed to accelerate that transition, Blaisot said. "We have installed charging stations at our office site and at employees' homes where possible. In addition, our employees are given cards to charge their cars nearby. Our office is relocating from Uccle to Anderlecht. The new workplace is close to a metro station and cycling highway. Those who do come by car will travel fewer kilometers. There are plenty of charging stations on-site and there’s even a bicycle parking facility.”

This article was created in collaboration with De Tijd and L'Echo.