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Logistics UK and Clean Cities call for more electric van support in order to create zero emission city centre freight zones
Oliver Lord, UK head of campaign group Clean Cities has urged the government to ramp up support for businesses in order for them to transfer their fleets over to electric vans, with the aim of city centres becoming zero emission freight zones in the near future.
“Climate change and air pollution are two sides of the same coin,” says Lord. “For businesses to step up and take the lead, this new Government must provide the certainty and robust support they need.
“This means setting ambitious environmental targets, creating clear policy frameworks and providing incentives to transition to electric and pedal-powered vehicles.
“Without the support for businesses from the government, public health and our ability to transition away from heavily polluting forms of transport such as diesel vehicles will be threatened.”
Diesel consumption from the UK van fleet is at record levels and Clean Cities believe that deliveries must be a focus for the new government and industry in transitioning to net zero.
In a survey of 4,000 UK adults conducted by Clean Cities, more than half (51%) said they would back ‘unpopular’ measures for businesses to protect the planet, such as adding additional costs to deliveries to fund clean air initiatives.
Denise Beedell, Senior Policy Manager at Logistics UK said, “Logistics UK has been working closely with BVRLA and other coalition members on the Zero Emission Van Plan campaign, and we fully support the campaign aims.
“It is vital that the new government encourages a faster transition by ensuring certainty for operators through a reformed regulatory framework, appropriate fiscal incentives, a charging network that is fit for purpose for commercial vehicles and a commitment to train sufficient EV technicians now and in the future.”
Incentives are an essential element of the solution, according to Clean Cities and the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), with 60% of the public also believing that small businesses should have more support to help them switch to electric vehicles (EVs).
Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows a drop in electric van market share in June 2024, falling to 4.7% year to date from 5.2% in June 2023.
The slowdown is reflected in BVRLA business leasing figures from its latest Road to Zero report, with new fully electric van additions to the leasing fleet falling from 10.2% in Q4 2023 to 9.2% Q1 2024.
This reflects the general trend where, despite overall growth, demand for BEV vans has fallen 5.1% in the first six months of 2024.
Published On: 18/07/2024 16:30:00
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