Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Avis Budget Group Reports Near $1 Billion Loss Tied To 2025 EV Fleet Write-Down

Following Hertz, the company is the second global car rental conglomerate to sustain sizable losses due to lower customer demand and usage of electric rental cars.

Rental cars lined up in front of an Avis-Budget storefront outlet.

Avis Budget Group is using the weak quarter as a turning point heading into 2026.

Photo: jetcityimage / Getty Images

2 min to read


Avis Budget Group posted heavy losses in Q4 and full year of 2025, mostly because of a major adjustment tied to its U.S. electric vehicle rental fleet, the company stated in an earnings report released Feb. 19.

The company reported fourth-quarter revenue of $2.7 billion and a net loss of $856 million. For the full year ending Dec. 31, 2025, Avis Budget reported $11.7 billion in revenue and a net loss of $995 million, even as it cited continued year-over-year demand.

Ad Loading...

The biggest factor behind the losses was a fleet strategy change involving certain electric vehicles in the U.S., Avis stated in a news release.

During Q4, the company said it reviewed its approach to those EVs and decided to keep some of the vehicles for a shorter period than previously planned. That shift required Avis Budget to reduce the recorded value of those vehicles to better reflect their current market value.

The company recorded $518 million in impairment and related charges, which were reflected in both its Q4 and full-year results.

Avis Budget in December sold EVs to a joint venture and received $183 million in cash proceeds, tied to the monetization of tax credits related to those vehicles.

CEO Brian Choi said the company is using the weak quarter as a turning point heading into 2026.

Ad Loading...

“As we enter 2026, we’ve repositioned the business and turned a challenging fourth quarter into a catalyst for meaningful change,” Choi said in the news release. “We are tightening fleet discipline, strengthening our balance sheet, and raising the bar on customer experience to drive sustainable earnings growth.”

Avis Budget said fourth-quarter revenue totaled $2.7 billion. Revenue per day fell 2%, excluding exchange-rate effects, and rental days declined 1% compared with Q4 2024.

The company reported improvements in earnings across both major operating segments:

  • Adjusted EBITDA in the Americas was $1 million, compared with a $63 million loss a year earlier, helped by lower fleet costs.

  • Adjusted EBITDA in International was $21 million, compared with an $11 million loss a year earlier, helped by stronger revenue per day and lower fleet costs.

  • Avis Budget also highlighted several balance-sheet moves during the quarter. The company said it issued $965 million in alternative funding asset-backed securities with a targeted two-year term and a maturity date of June 2028 and used the proceeds to pay down other fleet debt.

  • At the end of the quarter, Avis Budget said it had about $818 million in liquidity, along with another $2.1 billion in fleet funding capacity.



More Rental Operations

Green and black bar graphs show May 2025 v. 2026 fleet vehicle sales into commercial, rental, and government fleet sectors.
Fleet Acquisitionby Martin RomjueJune 3, 2026

Rental Fleet Sales Skating Just Above 2025 Levels

The U.S. economy's continued growth and positive business investment are creating a favorable environment for fleet vehicle demand.

Read More →
Interviewer Martin Romjue and guest Ryan Kerzner on both sides of a title page with large lettering.
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueJune 3, 2026

Grow Your Rental Business Beyond Cars

Rental fleet operations are facing numerous evolving challenges and opportunities from AI technology to rate and revenue management, to customer service and business growth.

Read More →
An AI-imaging tunnel instantly scans a car for damages at Wenn's location in Lithuania.
Rental OperationsJune 2, 2026

Using AI to Create Clarity, Not Conflict, in Rental Car Damage

Rental companies still need people, policy, judgment, and thoughtful implementation, with operators remaining in control of the customer experience.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Close up of a high-tech vehicle console with a remote key.
Rental OperationsJune 1, 2026

Get Ready To Roll: No Stopping Self-Driving Rental Cars

The autonomous mobility technology revolution will move at its own pace, but sooner rather than later.

Read More →
Two execs hold up a sign with Southwest and CarTrawler logos

Southwest Airlines Selects CarTrawler For Its Car Rental Booking Platform

The platform is designed to allow customers to compare and book rental vehicles more easily during the travel booking process.

Read More →
Speaker John Healy on stage with a podium, screen, and red curtains in the background.
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueMay 27, 2026

Cross-Pressures, Evolving Trends Drive 2026 Rental Car Industry

A combination of cautious economic behavior, shifts in the rental vehicle market, and technological influences are shaping car rental operator decisions.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Award winner on stage with presenters in front of yellow curtain.
Rental Operationsby Martin RomjueMay 27, 2026

Government Affairs Executive Wins Leading Rental Car Industry Award

Robert Muhs started in the car rental industry with Avis Budget Group two years before the first International Car Rental Show.

Read More →
The rental car team at the Green Motion franchise office near the Maputo International Airport in Mozambique.

Green Motion Expands Its African Presence with Mozambique Launch

This new rental car outlet reflects the growing demand for reliable transportation and the emphasis on sustainable travel across the continent.

Read More →
Photos of CEOs Colm Brady and Francois Kruger on a blue background and above a headline.
Telematicsby News/Media ReleaseMay 22, 2026

RentalMatics, GeoInt Partner On Rental Car Speed Tracking Tech

Rental operators can now detect and act on speeding while vehicles are still on rent, thereby reducing fines, admin workload, vehicle wear, and safety risks.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
NextPass 407 ETR

NextPass Expands Toll Payment Service to Highway In Toronto

Fleets and consumer can use a transponder-less option when traveling between Canada and the U.S.

Read More →
Ad Loading...