In 2026, low-carbon logistics is no longer a distant regulatory checkbox. It is a direct competitive lever for any company that runs a vehicle fleet. With mandatory e-invoicing incoming in September 2026, the continued expansion of Low Emission Zones (LEZs), and tightening CSRD obligations, finance teams and fleet managers need to rethink their mobility. The challenge goes beyond compliance: it is about total cost of ownership (TCO), city-centre access, and the ability to document a credible decarbonisation trajectory. This article covers the operational levers (electrification, data-driven management, progressive greening) and how a unified platform like Greenway lets you pull them all without fragmentation.
- Mobility data (fuel, charging, toll, mileage) is the prerequisite to any low-carbon strategy: you can't manage what you don't measure.
- Electrification is only one lever among several: modal shift, eco-driving, and route optimisation cut emissions without heavy upfront investment.
- A unified fuel card + EV charging + toll + CO₂ tracking platform simplifies CSRD reporting and eliminates tool sprawl.
The fleet: the largest emissions item in downstream logistics
According to ADEME (the French Agency for Ecological Transition), road transport accounts for roughly 30% of CO₂ emissions in France, with a significant share coming from corporate fleets. For a mid-sized company operating 50 vehicles, fuel can represent up to 15% of annual TCO. The environmental case for cutting that footprint is clear. The financial one is just as direct: every litre not burned is a cost line that disappears.
The first lever is not electrification. It is measurement. Without consolidated data on actual fuel consumption, charging sessions, kilometres driven, and toll expenses, the fleet manager is flying blind. A platform like Greenway unifies these flows: every fuel or charging transaction is timestamped, geolocated, and tied to a specific vehicle and driver, producing a consolidated base for carbon accounting (scopes 1 and 3).
Electrification: a powerful lever, but one that needs calibrating
Fleet electrification is accelerating. 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 is neither immediate nor universal. For long-distance travel or rural areas without dense charging infrastructure, hybrid powertrains remain relevant.
The key is right-sizing: analysing actual usage (daily mileage, parking time, access to home or depot charging) makes it possible to identify which vehicles to electrify first. Greenway provides this analysis from multi-energy card data (fuel + charging), avoiding costly over-investment or under-sizing mistakes.
| 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 covers smooth acceleration, anticipated braking and respect for speed limits, and can cut fuel consumption by 5 to 15% according to ADEME. For a fleet of 50 vehicles each covering 20,000 km/year, that represents annual fuel savings of €7,500 to €22,500. Modern fleet management platforms include driving-style tracking modules, paired with fuel card data for granular oversight.
Modal shift, whether rail for long distances, carpooling or soft mobility for the last mile, is another lever with immediate impact. The French Sustainable Mobility Allowance (Forfait Mobilités Durables, FMD), exempt from payroll taxes up to €800 per employee per year in 2026, helps fund these alternatives without adding to the budget[2]. Greenway integrates FMD management into the same platform as mobility cards, simplifying rollout and tracking.
CSRD and reporting: data as proof
The CSRD requires companies to publish precise indicators on their greenhouse gas emissions (scopes 1, 2, and 3), with mandatory traceability and auditability. For a fleet, scope 1 covers direct emissions from owned combustion vehicles; scope 3 includes business travel and downstream freight transport.
The sticking point for many mid-sized companies is primary data collection. Too often, carbon reporting relies on generic emission factors applied to litres of fuel purchased — an approximation that does not reflect actual usage. By capturing data at source (fuel volume and type per transaction, actual kilometres, EV charging sessions), Greenway enables emissions calculations based on primary data, aligned with the ESRS E1 requirements of the CSRD.
Conclusion
Low-carbon logistics is a competitive advantage for companies that structure their approach properly, not a regulatory burden to endure. Progressive electrification, eco-driving, modal shift, and data-driven management are four complementary levers that reduce both emissions and TCO. The success condition is consolidating mobility data on a single platform. Without it, CSRD reporting remains an annual chore rather than a management tool. Greenway provides that unification: a multi-energy card, native CO₂ tracking, and accounting integration that turns mobility into a sustainable competitive asset.
All your questions about low-carbon logistics
What are the first levers to pull for an existing fleet?
Start by measuring: consolidate your fuel, charging, and mileage data on a single platform. Then train your drivers in eco-driving (5–15% immediate savings) and identify priority vehicles for electrification based on actual usage patterns.
Is electrification cost-effective without subsidies?
For urban or suburban use with home or depot charging, the TCO of an electric vehicle is already 10–15% lower than an equivalent combustion vehicle over 3 years, even without a purchase subsidy.
How does CSRD apply to my fleet?
Your fleet emissions must be reported under scope 1 (owned combustion vehicles) and scope 3 (business travel). The ESRS E1 standard requires primary data and a documented reduction trajectory.
Does Greenway replace a traditional fleet management tool?
Greenway is not a telematics tool, but a payment and management platform that unifies fuel cards, charging, toll badges, and the Sustainable Mobility Allowance (FMD). It connects to existing telematics tools and ERPs for accounting and carbon reporting.
References
Learn more: CSR & CSRD 2026 White Paper: The Complete Guide · Corporate Mobility White Paper
