Author: Peter Amrhyn

3 outdated processes slowing down mobility as a service

The European mobility as a service (MaaS) market, which encompasses flexible models such as car leasing, renting, sharing, and subscriptions, is experiencing significant growth. Leasing is becoming increasingly common among individuals considering the purchase of a new vehicle. Especially in large cities, it is less attractive for residents to own their own car, so they turn to car sharing or subscriptions instead. Until 2029, the leasing market is projected to increase by roughly 8.6 billion euros.

While this trend is good news for MaaS providers, it also means that critical challenges are emerging, a few of which are already part of the MaaS reality today.


In this article:

1. More potential leasing deals require faster processing

2.  Customers expect a frictionless digital-first experience

3.  Contracts need to be 100% legally bulletproof   

 


 

1.  More potential leasing deals require faster processing 

Leasing a car can be a straightforward process: select your favorite model online, schedule a test drive, and take it home afterwards if everything is satisfactory. However, media disruptions, bureaucracy, and legal requirements hinder a straightforward leasing process – primarily due to the need for on-site identification and contract signing. Outdated, manual processes like these are not just extremely time-consuming, but also prone to (human) errors and delays, e.g., if the responsible team member can’t review the documents due to sickness. 

 

2.  Customers expect a frictionless digital-first experience   

In a highly competitive environment like the mobility-as-a-service sector, it’s crucial to keep consumers happy by meeting their expectations. These include fast, seamless digital interactions between providers and lessees. Unfortunately, sticking with outdated processes results in the opposite. It leads to long turnaround times, which can negatively impact customer satisfaction and significantly lower the chances of conversion.

 

 3.  Contracts need to be 100% legally bulletproof  

 It’s absolutely reasonable that car dealers want to protect themselves when they rent out or lease such a valuable item. This is why they need to conduct detailed background and credit checks on potential lessees. That’s why many MaaS providers still rely on face-to-face identification and extensive communication with financial institutions. Not only the contract itself, but also consenting to data enquiries often still requires the future lessee to manually sign a physical document. In the context of contract processes, handwritten signatures and personal meetings are still associated with legal security and compliance. 

 

It's no secret: by digitizing key processes, MaaS providers and their customers alike greatly benefit from increased efficiency and reduced friction. However, scalable and user-friendly MaaS models are only possible with digital trust. This crucial concept combines two advanced technologies at its core: remote identification (eID) and qualified electronic signatures (QES), which hold the same legal weight as their handwritten counterparts under the EU eIDAS regulation. These solutions help eliminate media disruptions and manual steps, offer a digital alternative to close deals fully online and remotely, and lower the drop-off rate during the contracting phase – all while ensuring legal compliance.

 

 

Want to learn more about how remote identification and QES help mobility as a service providers optimize their leasing processes? Download our latest paper, "The Road to Fully Digitized Leasing."

 

 

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