Conference Richard Smith 2023

There are elements of today’s Conservative proposals on HGV decarbonisation that we at the RHA welcome and which align with positions we have consistently advocated.

In particular, we welcome the recognition that decarbonisation needs to be pragmatic, commercially viable and technology neutral.

Different operations require different solutions. Long-distance haulage, construction, refrigerated transport and urban deliveries do not all operate in the same way, and the transition cannot simply be about prescribing one technology for every HGV use case.

The proposals recognise a multi-fuel approach, including battery-electric, biomethane and HVO, rather than assuming decarbonisation must mean total electrification.

That is important.

We have consistently argued that battery-electric will have a significant role where it works, but we also need to recognise the potential of sustainable fuels, hydrogen and other emerging technologies.

We also welcome the recognition of some of the very real operational and commercial barriers our members are telling us about.

Our own RHA Payload Loss Survey Report is referenced in the announcement, which flagged that vehicle weight regulations need amending so that electric HGVs can compete equally with their diesel equivalents.

These are not arguments against decarbonisation. They are arguments for getting decarbonisation right.

Where we would urge caution is the proposal to remove £877m of support for zero-emission vans and trucks.

Technology neutrality should not mean removing the support businesses need to make the transition. Operators, particularly SMEs working on extremely tight margins, cannot be expected to carry the cost alone.

We need investment certainty, the right infrastructure and a commercially viable joint Government/industry pathway that gives businesses confidence to invest.

The RHA will continue to work constructively with government, opposition parties and industry partners on this.

For us, this isn’t about party politics or advocating one technology over another. It is about representing the operational reality of HGV, coach and van operators and finding solutions in partnership that deliver lower emissions while supporting economic growth.

Set the destination, work with industry on the journey, and give businesses the confidence to invest.

Richard Smith, MD, RHA