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A relaxation of the 2035 ban on internal combustion engine (ICE) vans by the EU will place “huge pressure” on the UK government to follow suit, according to software specialist FleetCheck.
It said a widely expected package of measures designed to ease pressure on European manufacturers and thought to be announced before Christmas could also affect the UK’s deadlines.
Peter Golding, FleetCheck CEO said: “The EU appears to be recognising car and van makers are facing a perfect storm of needing to make massive investments in electrification while at the same time facing new competition from Chinese new entrants against the backdrop of an overall market that remains tepid.
“While we don’t know yet exactly what steps will be taken, they are likely to be significant, including a potential relaxation of the 2035 ICE ban, which would be a major development.
“Any measures will, of course, place huge pressure on the UK government to fall into line.”
Golding said the EU was a mass market sitting on the UK’s doorstep and it would be difficult to resist aligning policy in this area: “It is unlikely Keir Starmer will want our car makers placed at a disadvantage,” he added.
He said the underperformance of electric cars meeting zero emission mandate targets – but especially vans – would also be a key consideration.
“The 2025 car targets are unlikely to be met and the situation for vans is much worse.
“We are failing to hit the staging posts put in place to electrify at the rate the government would like to see.”
The comments followed an admission by the government last month that the HGV sector would also lag behind its planned trajectory to reduce carbon emissions.
It has produced a green growth plan, which included proposals to consult on the regulatory approach to reducing emissions by HGVs and the associated deadlines.
