Logistics UK responds to government's Electric Vehicle Smart Charging Action Plan

Friday 20 January 2023

Following the Electric Vehicle Smart Charging Action Plan announcement made by government on 17 January 2023, Denise Beedell, Senior Policy Manager at Logistics UK, comments:   

"If UK logistics businesses are to achieve Net Zero by 2030 in line with government’s stated objectives, it is vital that the nation’s smart charging infrastructure can provide the necessary accessibility and capacity the UK’s fleet will require. The Electric Vehicle Charging Plan from BEIS provides welcome detail for operators, and our members are pleased to see government and Ofgem working to remove barriers to innovative charging technology.  However, it is vital that the roll out of the public charging network is accelerated, and that it should be able to accommodate the needs of commercial vans, to ensure it is fit for purpose. Longer term, we are also urging government to ensure larger electric HGVs can be accommodated by any new infrastructure, to keep vehicles moving and supplies being delivered." 

Logistics UK 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.