Ten Point Plan: Logistics calls for clearer vision on zero carbon HGVs

Wednesday 18 November 2020

In the response to the launch today (18 November 2020) of the government’s Ten Point Plan on Reaching Net Zero, Alex Veitch, General Manager for Public Policy at Logistics UK, comments:

“Logistics businesses fully support the government’s aim to transition to a low-carbon economy, but the switch must be affordable for businesses. Logistics UK is urging government to ensure there are practical alternatives to petrol and diesel HGVs before a phase-out of these vehicles is considered.  In order for the commercial sector to be able to deliver, government should work with industry to develop a long-term pathway to decarbonisation, providing clarity on the technology and alternative fuels it supports so that manufacturers and operators can invest with confidence.

“In terms of smaller vehicles, while logistics businesses are committed to switching to electric vans, the government must introduce a fairer way of funding grid reinforcements and energy supply upgrades; currently, the onus lies on a business to fund upgrades to the entire local electricity hub if  there is insufficient energy supply in the existing infrastructure to power its electric vehicle fleet. Without a resilient energy and charging infrastructure the switch to electric vehicles will be a pipe dream for businesses.

“It is good to see that some models of hybrids will be excluded from the earlier ban date as they offer a practical bridging technology for van operators working in areas where access to charging infrastructure or electric vehicle model availability is limited.”

Logistics UK (formerly FTA) is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With COVID-19, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.