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The used EV market, airport electrification, destination charging and grid capacity were among the topics discussed across a host of recent meetings between the BVRLA and critical government departments. Alongside members and industry stakeholders, the BVRLA has chaired multiple roundtables this week to discuss the challenges being tackled by the sector.

BVRLA Chief Executive Toby Poston comments: Every month we see tens of thousands of new electric vehicles being registered. Driven by the company car sector and fleet operators, the UK’s transition to zero-emission vehicles is ticking along. It remains fragile though. The players responsible for the progress to date can only take the transition so far; they alone cannot get us over the finish line. 

Transport for London (TfL) has updated its Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy, which was originally published in December 2021. This strategy supports the Mayor’s ambition for London to be a net-zero carbon city by 2030 and provide the EV infrastructure needed.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed five more models that are eligible for the Electric Car Grant, with all qualifying for the band 2 discount of £1,500.

The Government has confirmed that the Plug-in Van and Truck Grants will be extended until at least April 2027, providing certainty for fleets and businesses investing in electric vehicles.

Members have the chance to join the Bon VoyCharge campaign this summer, supporting the BVRLA’s push to see further development of the UK’s destination charging network.

A successful battery electric vehicle (BEV) transition cannot succeed without a thriving, stable second-hand market and right now, that market is under serious pressure.

Last week the Government published the details of its £30m commitment to Depot and Fleet Charging Grants. At its core, this is a positive step forward and seeks to address some of the issues the BVRLA has flagged to Government regarding charging infrastructure installation at depots, including rental branches.

The Chancellor has provided clarity on how Benefit in Kind rates will be applied to Plug-in Hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), in the face of uncertainty over how vehicle emissions testing will be conducted. Forming part of ‘L-Day’ (Legislation Day), changes were also announced relating to Employee Car Ownership Schemes (ECOS).

The Government has introduced a new Electric Car Grant (ECG) which commits £650m to the new market, offering discounts of up to £3,750 off the cost of a new electric vehicle with an initial list price under £37,000.

The BVRLA has kicked off a summer campaign to shine a spotlight on destination charging. Bon VoyCharge has been launched to showcase best practice across the UK and where the industry and policymakers can collaborate on further development. Marking the first formal milestone of the campaign, the Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood MP joined industry professionals for a roundtable at Alton Towers (17 July).

The UK government has unveiled a £63 million investment (announced on 13 July), aimed at expanding EV charging infrastructure.