Supporting the transition to new mobility solutions in Belgium
AG and AG Real Estate’s daughter Interparking took further steps to encourage the adoption of more flexible and greener mobility solutions.
Influenced in part by the Covid crisis, the habits of Belgians with respect to travel has changed significantly. Regulations on CO2 emissions have accelerated the electrification of vehicle fleets, and journeys are becoming increasingly multimodal.
AG strengthens electric vehicle ecosystem
To accelerate the transition to electric driving, AG, together with mobility partners Optimile, Touring and SoSimply, developed a specific package of guarantees and services, including:
- easy access to one of the largest networks of public charging stations in Europe via Optimile
- the possibility of installing and testing your own smart charging station by subsidiary SoSimply
- a mobile speed-charging service in case of a flat or defective battery via Touring
- a cover for fire and liability at home charging points included in the standard home and private liability insurance policy, and a compensation feature in the event of a battery fire.
The aim is to remove as many obstacles and concerns as possible from customers so that they can make the transition to an electric or hybrid vehicle with complete peace of mind. In that same context, AG has launched the 'Go4Lease' private & business all-in-one lease product within its brokers network, in collaboration with leasing company Arval. Both partners want to lower the threshold for leasing by private clients, SME’s and self-employed persons.
Also in 2022, AG, BNP Paribas Fortis and Belgian car/tow assistance provider Touring went a step further in strengthening the partnership they have enjoyed since 2019. AG acquired 75% and BNP Paribas Fortis 25% of the shares of Touring NV. Through this agreement, Touring will continue to focus on providing quality services and the sale of assistance products tailored to changing mobility needs. In turn, AG and BNP Paribas Fortis will be able to rely on Touring's leading position in Belgium and extended international network to expand their unique customer offering. Together, the partners will be better positioned to prepare for all the challenges related to the mobility of the future.
Interparking supports the transition towards low-polluting mobility
The Group’s European Parking operator Interparking has doubled the number of parking spaces equipped with charging terminals in their car parks to 2,500 in the past year. This well exceeds the commitment made by Interparking to increase the number of charging terminals for electric and hybrid vehicles in their car parks by at least 300 every year.
Interparking is also the first car park operator to have rolled out the air purifying system "lungs in the city". To date some 120 of these systems have been installed across Europe, significantly reducing the number of fine particles in car parks.
And while most of the car parks operated by Interparking have already been offering parking spaces dedicated to bicycles for many years, 2022 has seen the implementation of 1,851 new parking spots exclusively for bikes. Interparking is also conducting proof-of-concept "Cargo-bikes" in partnership with Ziegler Logistics for "last-mile" green delivery. An electric truck "shuttle" connects the main hub to a micro hub located in an Interparking car park in Brussels; from there, the cargo bikes leave for their final destination. The initiative will soon be extended to other cities outside of Brussels.
