The logistics industry has warned ministers that ambitious electric vehicle targets will achieve little unless the infrastructure and operating conditions exist to support them.
As the Government considers revisions to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, Logistics UK is calling for a more practical approach to the electrification of commercial vehicle fleets.
Under the existing framework, 70% of new van sales must be zero-emission by 2030, with the longer-term objective of ending new petrol and diesel van sales by 2035.
However, Logistics UK argues that the transition cannot simply be measured by the number of electric vehicles manufacturers are required to sell.
Vehicle payload, daily mileage, charging availability and electricity costs all influence whether an electric van can successfully replace its diesel equivalent.
The organisation wants faster grid connections, more affordable electricity, greater accountability from distribution network operators and meaningful financial support extending beyond short-term grant programmes.
There is also concern that larger vans and vehicles operating in rural areas face particular challenges, with limited public charging provision and demanding duty cycles.
The message is not opposition to electrification. Rather, the industry wants the Government to recognise the difference between encouraging electric vehicle sales and creating a commercially sustainable operating environment.
With fleet operators already facing considerable financial pressure, the success of the ZEV Mandate may ultimately depend less on legislative ambition and more on whether businesses can make the numbers work.
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As the Government considers revisions to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, Logistics UK is calling for a more practical approach to the electrification of commercial vehicle fleets.
Under the existing framework, 70% of new van sales must be zero-emission by 2030, with the longer-term objective of ending new petrol and diesel van sales by 2035.
However, Logistics UK argues that the transition cannot simply be measured by the number of electric vehicles manufacturers are required to sell.
Vehicle payload, daily mileage, charging availability and electricity costs all influence whether an electric van can successfully replace its diesel equivalent.
The organisation wants faster grid connections, more affordable electricity, greater accountability from distribution network operators and meaningful financial support extending beyond short-term grant programmes.
There is also concern that larger vans and vehicles operating in rural areas face particular challenges, with limited public charging provision and demanding duty cycles.
The message is not opposition to electrification. Rather, the industry wants the Government to recognise the difference between encouraging electric vehicle sales and creating a commercially sustainable operating environment.
With fleet operators already facing considerable financial pressure, the success of the ZEV Mandate may ultimately depend less on legislative ambition and more on whether businesses can make the numbers work.
