Government urged to support EV van transition
The government has been urged to develop a support package of incentives to encourage the uptake of zero emission vans.
Business leaders and sustainable transport campaigners have written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak outlining the need to introduce targeted plans and funding that will support the uptake of electric vans across the 3.4 million people in the UK that require a van for their job.
The letter is co-signed by the BVRLA, BRC, Finance & Leasing Association, Green Alliance, Logistics UK, Renewable Energy Association, and Transport & Environment.
Vans are the fastest-growing form of road transport and account for 16% of associated UK emissions. However, there is a significant disparity between progress in the electric car and electric van markets. Lower running costs once incorporated into a fleet make electric vans an appealing option, but the initial costs to adopt are prohibitive to many. This is evidenced by the fact that the average electric van costs 31% more than its petrol or diesel equivalent. In many cases that price differential is over 50%.
BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney said: “Electric vans are the future, but for too long, the government has focussed on one-size-fits-all solutions for electric vehicles. Zero emission vans are not yet affordable, accessible or feasible for many fleets and use cases. The sector needs a well-financed strategy with additional targeted fiscal support if we are to meet the 2030 phase out target. The measures laid out so far in the Transport Decarbonisation Plan and Net Zero Strategy do not go far enough.”
