Electric van technology lags significantly behind electric cars. While the car market is already seeing its third and fourth generation electric vehicles, no electric vans are yet capable of delivering longer ranges or towing. Given the growth and economic importance of vans, a special focus on vans is needed if this sector is to achieve parity with the more developed car market.
BVRLA members have almost 800,000 rental and leased vans on their fleets, accounting for 1-in-6 on UK roads, and are responsible for buying up to 65% of new vans sold each year in the UK.
Vans are of huge importance to the UK economy. One in ten workers – 3.4 million people – rely on a van for their job across a broad range of industries, from engineering and construction to emergency and rescue services, according to SMMT 2019 data. The van parc is growing exponentially at a rate double that of cars, given the rise in self-employment and online retail. Vans are also essential tools for transporting equipment, supplies and people to support small enterprise, aid healthcare provision and lay critical national infrastructure, such as broadband, to facilitate wider economic activity.
Due to the diversity of the sector, there is a huge variety in van type based on their individual use cases. For example, a van transporting commercial goods may have onboard refrigeration, whereas an emergency vehicle may carry heavy medical machinery that requires power to operate. These specialisations pose unique challenges for van electrification, varying electricity demands, payloads and effects on vehicle range.
Electric van technology lags significantly behind electric cars. While the car market is already seeing its third and fourth generation electric vehicles, no electric vans are yet capable of delivering longer ranges or towing. Given the growth and economic importance of vans, a special focus on vans is needed if this sector is to achieve parity with the more developed car market. This segmented approach must consider the challenges of supply, demand and infrastructure for the electric van market and develop policies to resolve them well before 2030.
Our asks of Government
In the next 12 months we would like to see the Government:
- Ringfence funding for the van sector
- Introduce new van charging grants and funding
- Ensure the supply chain caters for vans
- Drop the 'super deduction' exclusion for rental and leasing
- Develop van specific targets and requirements for charge point provision
The BVRLA Van Plan
In June 2021 the BVRLA launched a 'Van Plan' setting out the key challenges and our recommendations to support the uptake of zero emission vans.
The Van Plan can be read in full on our website.
A related press release is also available to read online as well.
Get involved in the BVRLA decarbonising commercial vehicles campaign
Electric Vehicles Working Group
The group is designed to support the BVRLA’s policy work in this area by members providing expertise, knowledge and case studies which show the measures being taken by BVRLA members to reach net zero and to advise on the challenges that need to be overcome if the sector is to support the accelerated uptake of electric vehicles.
To get involved contact BVRLA Senior Policy Advisor, Catherine Bowen
Van Plan Campaign
To support the BVRLA's policy engagement activity on our van plan we are asking members and their customers to share their stories. To lend your support please let us know about your experience and why you agree the Government must act now to support zero emision vans by emailing the BVRLA policy team.
Fleets in Charge Events
The BVRLA’s Fleets in Charge programme explores the latest technologies and business models and the policy environment that surrounds it. You will hear from expert speakers from across government, automotive and the fleet sector who will share key analysis and the latest insights into the current journey towards transport decarbonisation in the UK.