The BVRLA would like to thank the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps MP, Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi MP and the many BVRLA members, industry leaders and sponsors who took part in today’s event.
The event saw the association’s first ever digital conference attract record numbers with around 500 members and guests tuning in throughout the day. Live polling and Q&A sessions enabled delegates to get more involved than ever before and delegates have been keen to share how insightful they found the event.
BVRLA Chief Executive Gerry Keaney used the event to unveil the industry’s updated 2020 Plug-in Pledge, outlining the vehicle rental, leasing and fleet industry’s commitment to owning and operating around 900,000 Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) within five years.
The Pledge was welcomed by both the Secretary of State and the Business Minister, who acknowledged the valuable contribution of BVRLA members in driving business recovery and delivering the UK’s zero emission road transport ambitions.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “It’s fantastic that so many BVRLA members are making commitments to introduce zero-emission fleets ahead of the Government’s phase-out target. BVRLA members are fundamental to the transition to cleaner road transport.”
The BVRLA also launched its latest version of the Road to Zero Report Card, which provides a traffic-light assessment of the UK’s progress towards its road transport decarbonisation targets.
This year’s report gives the UK an ‘Amber – Accelerating’ rating, meaning that progress has been made since 2019 and the EV market is approaching parity with that for petrol and diesel vehicles in some respects.
Read more in the press release: The destiny of road transport decarbonisation lies with fleets.
