Green groups call for more zero emission zones in cities

Currently, the proportion of electric vans currently sold in the UK is around half that in the Netherlands, where zero-emission freight zones are being introduced from next year.

However, with the right incentives and policies in place, Transport and Environment (T&E) and Clean Cities believe the UK to leapfrog other European countries in terms of electric van uptake in the coming years.

New analysis conducted by T&E and Clean Cities reveals there would be more than enough electric vans on the market to enable zeroemission freight zones in the UK.

The report – Zero-emission Fleets in Cities – claims that by 2026, there will be more electric van models available than diesel and petrol – and by 2027 the average price of an e-van will be cheaper than a diesel model.

Oliver Lord, head of strategy and UK at the Clean Cities campaign, said: “This study shows that, with the right incentives in place, our city leaders can work with businesses to be much more ambitious when it comes to zero-emission freight. Instead of ending perks for electric vans next year, such as the plug-in van grant or the London congestion charge exemption, this Government should work with city leaders on a framework of policies so that e-vans become the go-to choice for fleets.”

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