Transport secretary to address BVRLA members

Transport secretary Grant Shapps will address BVRLA members at the Fleets in Charge event next month.

He will recognise the role members have played in helping the UK towards its zero-emission target. Last year BVRLA members bought around 80% of all battery electric vehicles sold in the UK.

BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney said: “The government recognises the vital role that our industry plays in driving road transport decarbonisation and I am delighted to announce that the Transport Secretary of State will be making an address at our event on 6 October.

“With 2021 due to see the implementation of Clean Air Zones across several UK towns and cities, more people will be looking for cleaner vehicles and our members stand ready to meet the needs of those personal and business customers looking for affordable, flexible and cleaner vehicles.”

Keaney also welcomed the government announcement pledging a £12m fund for electric vehicle research projects, plans for more charge points and additional funding for local authorities to encourage businesses to switch to electric vans.

He said: “The BVRLA and its members are working more closely than ever with policymakers to help them understand the fleet market and the policy interventions that will be needed to drive rapid decarbonisation of road transport. We will be using our Fleets in Charge event to launch our latest Road to Zero Report Card and we will also be unveiling our new Plug-in Pledge, which will demonstrate the huge contribution that the fleet sector will make between now and 2025.”