The Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) hosted BVRLA members and the SMMT at a van workshop this week to discuss vehicle supply, infrastructure and incentives required to help commercial vehicle operators support decarbonisation.
The workshop followed a roundtable held in May with members, OLEV and other officials from the Department for Busines, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Department for Transport (DfT) and Treasury – where some of the barriers, challenges and opportunities for rental, leasing and CV meeting the 2035 phase out of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles were explored.
This week’s workshop presented a fantastic opportunity for BVRLA CV members to raise some of their ongoing concerns and recommendations, making clear what support is needed from government to support the transition from ICE.
Recommendations included:
- Ensuring that the UK is an attractive market for the supply of vehicles and batteries
- Working with the energy industry to reduce the costs and delays involved with upgrading grid connections
- Investing in more public rapid charging infrastructure that is accessible by van drivers that cannot charge at home
- Exploring zero-emission options for R&D to specialist vehicles where constant onboard power is needed and battery power will not suffice
- Providing a long-term, competitive tax and incentive regime that gives fleets the certainty to invest in electric vehicles and infrastructure.
The BVRLA will be submitting a response to the phasing out of ICE vehicle consultation in the coming weeks. For more information or to take part contact BVRLA Senior Policy Advisor, Catherine Bowen.
The association has been invited to attend a connections roundtable with BEIS and OLEV later in July to discuss concerns with grid costs and time to upgrade. The association will continue to engage with OLEV and DfT as they produce the Transport Decarbonisation Plan, due to be published later this year.
