Fleet News joins electric van campaign

Industry title Fleet News has joined a new campaign headed by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) which seeks to obtain UK Government support for a fleet industry manifesto intended to facilitate and accelerate the uptake of zero emission vans.

The Zero Emission Van Plan has brought together Association of Fleet Professionals, Logistics UK, Recharge UK and EV Café to call on the Government to provide greater fiscal support, improve charging infrastructure and remove regulatory barriers. Fleet News is the latest partner to join the campaign.

The Van Plan’s three key ‘asks’ cover a range of requirements deemed essential to support continued uptake in the electric van market.

Last year, full electric vans accounted for 5.9% of light commercial vehicle registrations, the same proportion as 2022, suggesting demand is stagnating. This trend was reflected in the latest Climate Change Committee (CCC) progress report which warned that ‘electric van sales are still lagging and remain significantly off track’ when compared to the CCC’s pathway.

The Van Plan states: “To meet the 70% ZEV target for vans by 2030 operators need critical support now. A giant leap is needed to move the market from 5.9% of new e-van sales in 2023 to where it needs to be. Without immediate support the transition will continue to stall or even grind to a halt, making the targets in later years impossible to reach.”

Gerry Keaney, BVRLA chief executive, (pictured) said:

Vans are the backbone of our economy, providing an essential form of transport and a mobile workspace. They are growing in number every year and account for a major portion of the miles driven up and down the country. If the UK is to meet its road decarbonisation targets, zero-emission vans must take centre stage. They are a vital player in the transition and command more attention.

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