From depreciation to optimisation: Rethinking fleet management strategy for SMEs
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In an era of hybrid work and reduced business travel, many Belgian SMEs are realising their company cars are increasingly underutilised. Yet these assets continue to incur costs: insurance, taxes, maintenance, and most of all depreciation. The result? Companies are investing in mobility that no longer delivers a real return.
Faced with this challenge, more organisations are turning to the mobility budget as a flexible alternative to the traditional company car. Instead of receiving a vehicle, employees are allocated an annual allowance they can spend on mobility options that fit their actual needs: public transport, bikes, shared electric cars, or multimodal combinations. It’s a smarter, more sustainable, and often more cost-effective approach for employers, especially when mobility usage varies widely across teams.
TCO: a key metric for cost control
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) reflects the full financial impact of running a vehicle:
- Fixed costs: purchase, leasing, insurance, taxes
- Variable costs: fuel, maintenance, repairs
- Hidden costs: vehicle downtime, admin burden
Understanding and analysing your TCO is essential to optimise mobility costs and make smarter investment decisions.
Read more about the TCO here
Depreciation and underutilisation: a costly combination
Depreciation is often the largest cost in a vehicle's lifecycle. A car that sits idle loses value while still incurring costs. Add insurance, taxes, and maintenance to the equation, and it’s clear: companies are paying for mobility that isn’t delivering any ROI.
Toward a more sustainable fleet strategy
A sustainable fleet strategy supports both your bottom line and your environmental goals:
- Transitioning to electric or hybrid vehicles
- Optimising routes to reduce emissions and fuel costs
- Training staff in eco-driving techniques
These initiatives help cut TCO while reinforcing your company’s eco-responsibility
Why fleet data matters more than ever
Effective fleet management in 2025 and beyond depends on data visibility:
- Real-time usage tracking
- Identifying underused vehicles
- Forecasting maintenance needs
- Assessing driver behavior and mobility patterns
Mbrella Analytics: The data solution for SMEs, rethinking mobility strategy
Mbrella Analytics isn’t a traditional fleet management tool. It’s designed for SMEs and companies that want to reassess their mobility strategy by understanding how their vehicles are really being used and whether smarter alternatives like the mobility budget might offer more value.
With a clear, actionable dashboard, Mbrella Analytics helps you:
- Detailed CO2 emissions per capita
- Office accessibility analysis
- Overview of commuting patterns, times and distances
- Map the commuting time of employees
- Know for certain how accessible your office really is
It’s a strategic tool for HR, finance, and mobility teams looking to make sustainable, data-driven decisions.
🎯 Take action
Don't let your vehicles become cost centers. Use data to shift from idle assets to agile mobility and free up resources for what really drives your business.