The new Zero Emission Truck and Van Grants and the extension of the Depot Charging Scheme is the practical support industry needs “to move the needle on electric commercial vehicle adoption.” So says Logistics UK’s Chief Executive, Ben Fletcher…
High upfront vehicle costs and the challenge of securing depot charging infrastructure remain two of the largest barriers to electric HGV adoption, according to Logistics UK’s research. The business group has therefore welcomed The recent government announcement (25 March), which includes extending the Depot Charging Scheme and confirming the levels of funding available through the Zero Emission Truck and Van Grants, as a significant step forward.
“This is the practical support the industry needs that will move the needle on electric commercial vehicle adoption,” says Ben Fletcher, the group’s Chief Executive. “Our research highlights a growing gap between decarbonisation targets and industry readiness — particularly among smaller operators — driven by factors such as limited charging infrastructure and high cost of electricity.
“By extending the Depot Charging Scheme and confirming significant funding levels through the Zero Emission Truck and Van Grants, the government is simplifying the investment decisions businesses need to take.”
Ben continued: “These announcements reduce uncertainty in purchasing decisions and will help fleet operators demonstrate the operational viability of transitioning to electric vehicles. However, vehicle procurement cycles span several years, so the government must provide multi-year funding certainty to support the continued adoption of Zero Emission vehicles.
“Moving away from the current annual funding cycles will present a clear transition pathway enabling businesses to plan and upgrade their fleets in a more structured and sustainable way.”
“These announcements reduce uncertainty in purchasing decisions and will help fleet operators demonstrate the operational viability of transitioning to electric vehicles.”
On a similar theme of ‘practical solutions catching up with real world impacts,” Logistics UK welcomed the draft legislation published following the zero-emission vans consultation earlier in the year which it contends will “encourage the adoption of cleaner electric vehicles and is the next step in the process for electric vans to stop being treated as HGVs.” Chris Yarsley, its Senior Policy Manager – Road Freight Regulation, has urged for approval of the new regulations “as a matter of urgency so businesses and consumers can start reaping the benefits of cleaner vehicles.”
Chris said: “The electric van legislation is finally catching up with operational reality and needs to be approved as quickly as possible. The current situation where standard size electric vans are treated as HGVs, in terms of MOT and driver hours requirements, is outdated and penalises logistics operators who are trying to clean up their fleets and help the UK meet its decarbonisation objectives.
“Electric vans are used for the same jobs as diesel and petrol vehicles, and it is only the extra weight from the batteries that moves them into the same category as HGVs.”
He continued: “The new legislation removes this false equivalence and will speed up the adoption of cleaner vehicles as operators will not have the unnecessary expense and paperwork of complying with rules designed for much heavier lorries.
“As part of the Zero-Emission Van Plan coalition, Logistics UK has long been campaigning for full regulatory alignment between 4.25 tonne electric vans and 3.5 tonne diesel, and improved fiscal support for adopting electric vehicles. The draft legislation is a clear indication that the government is listening to the sector’s concerns, and it is now essential for the legislation to become law as a matter of urgency.”
