In 2026, low-carbon logistics helps companies with vehicle fleets compete. It is no longer a distant regulatory task. Mandatory e-invoicing starts in September 2026. Low Emission Zones (LEZs) keep expanding, and CSRD duties are growing stricter. Finance teams and fleet managers need to rethink their mobility. The challenge covers compliance, total cost of ownership (TCO), city-centre access, and proof of a credible plan to cut carbon emissions.
This article covers electrification, management based on data, and a gradual shift to greener transport. It explains how a single platform like Greenway brings these tools together.
- Mobility data (fuel, charging, toll, mileage) must come first in any low-carbon strategy. You cannot manage what you do not measure.
- Electrification is one of several options. Modal shift, eco-driving, and route optimisation cut emissions without heavy upfront spending.
- A single fuel card + EV charging + toll + CO₂ tracking platform makes CSRD reporting easier. It removes the need for many separate tools.
The fleet: the largest emissions item in downstream logistics
According to ADEME (the French Agency for Ecological Transition), road transport produces roughly 30% of CO₂ emissions in France. Corporate fleets account for a large share. For a mid-sized company running 50 vehicles, fuel can account for up to 15% of annual TCO. Cutting this footprint brings clear environmental gains. It also saves money: every litre not burned removes a cost.
The first step is not electrification. It is measurement. Fleet managers need combined data on actual fuel use, charging sessions, kilometres driven, and toll expenses. Without it, they lack a clear view. Greenway brings these flows together. It records the time of each fuel or charging transaction, with its vehicle and driver. These records form a shared base for carbon accounting (scopes 1 and 3).
Electrification: a powerful lever, but one that needs calibrating
Fleets are switching to electric vehicles faster. In March 2025, electric vehicles accounted for 11.6% of French fleet registrations, up 44% year-on-year[1]. But the switch to all-electric takes time and does not suit every use. Hybrids remain useful for long-distance travel or rural areas with few charging points.
The key is right-sizing: use actual driving data to choose which vehicles to electrify first. Check daily mileage, parking time, and access to home or depot charging. Greenway analyses multi-energy card data (fuel + charging) for this purpose. This helps avoid costly excess spending or choosing vehicles that cannot meet needs.
| Criterion | ICE vehicle | Plug-in hybrid | Electric |
|---|---|---|---|
| CO₂ emissions (g/km) | 120–160 | 30–50 (elec) / 120+ (fuel) | 0 |
| TCO over 3 years (est.) | High (fuel + maintenance) | Medium (dual powertrain) | Low (energy + maintenance) |
| Suitable for long trips | Yes | Yes (flexible) | Limited (range) |
| LEZ-compliant | Crit'Air 1 minimum | Crit'Air 1 | Crit'Air 0 (unrestricted) |
| 2026 tax advantage | None | Reduced (partial TVS exemption) | Maximum (TVS exemption + 30% BIK reduction) |
Eco-driving and modal shift: savings without investment
Eco-driving means smooth acceleration, braking early, and keeping to speed limits. According to ADEME, it can cut fuel consumption by 5 to 15%. For 50 vehicles each covering 20,000 km/year, annual fuel savings reach €7,500 to €22,500. Modern fleet management platforms track driving styles. They pair this with fuel card data for a detailed view.
Modal shift also brings immediate gains. Options include rail for long distances, carpooling, or soft mobility for the last mile. The French Sustainable Mobility Allowance (Forfait Mobilités Durables, FMD) helps fund these options without adding to the budget. In 2026, it is exempt from payroll taxes up to €800 per employee per year[2]. Greenway manages FMD and mobility cards on the same platform. This makes rollout and tracking easier.
CSRD and reporting: data as proof
The CSRD requires companies to publish precise greenhouse gas emissions metrics (scopes 1, 2, and 3). The data must be traceable and open to audit. For a fleet, scope 1 covers direct emissions from owned combustion vehicles. Scope 3 includes business travel and downstream freight transport.
Many mid-sized companies struggle with primary data collection. Carbon reports often apply generic emission factors to litres of fuel purchased. This rough estimate does not reflect actual usage. Greenway captures fuel volume and type per transaction, the mileage entered at the pump, and EV charging sessions at source. This primary data gives you the material for an emissions calculation in line with the CSRD requirements in ESRS E1. The carbon estimate shown in the platform remains an order of magnitude based on each expense's category.
Conclusion
Low-carbon logistics helps companies compete when they plan their approach well. It need not be a regulatory burden. Gradual electrification, eco-driving, modal shift, and management based on data work together to cut emissions and TCO. Success depends on bringing mobility data into one platform. Without this, CSRD reporting stays an annual chore rather than a management tool. Greenway brings together a multi-energy card, a carbon estimate for each expense based on its category, and an accounting export ready to import. This turns mobility into a lasting competitive strength.
All your questions about low-carbon logistics
What are the first levers to pull for an existing fleet?
Start by measuring: bring your fuel, charging, and mileage data into one platform. Then train drivers in eco-driving (5–15% immediate savings). Use actual driving patterns to choose which vehicles to electrify first.
Is electrification cost-effective without subsidies?
For urban or suburban use with home or depot charging, an electric vehicle already has a lower TCO. Over 3 years, it costs 10–15% less than an equivalent combustion vehicle, even without a purchase subsidy.
How does CSRD apply to my fleet?
Report fleet emissions under scope 1 (owned combustion vehicles) and scope 3 (business travel). The ESRS E1 standard requires primary data and a documented plan to cut emissions.
Does Greenway replace a traditional fleet management tool?
Greenway is a payment and management platform, rather than a telematics tool. It brings together fuel cards, charging, toll badges, and the Sustainable Mobility Allowance (FMD). It does not connect to telematics boxes: consumption is tracked by driver and by vehicle from refuelling data (litres, price, mileage entered at the pump), and expenses come out in an accounting export ready to import into your software.
References
Learn more: CSR & CSRD 2026 White Paper: The Complete Guide · Corporate Mobility White Paper
