Approximately 160,000 new large electric vans could be registered over the next two years if the government addresses restrictive regulations, claims the Zero Emission Van Plan. The organisation is a coalition which includes the BVRLA, Logistics UK, the REA and its EV forum REcharge UK, the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP), and The EV Café.
A Zero Emission Van Plan survey of fleet operators, found 70% felt regulatory issues were the single biggest barrier to entry for 4.25-tonne electric vans. Although 3.5-tonne diesel vans and 4.25-tonne electric vans are designed to be operated in the same way, the electric versions are treated as HGVs with a requirement for an MOT in the first year and restrictions on driver hours. The Zero Emission Van Plan is calling for these regulatory discrepancies to be addressed to encourage more fleets to adopt large electric vans.
The survey showed a majority that would be motivated to purchase large electric vans if these regulations were removed. Based on this, the Zero Emission Van Plan estimates that 160,000 additional large electric vans could be registered between now and 2027.
A spokesperson for the Zero Emission Van Plan, said: “Electric van registrations are standing still. Market share remains at a single-digit percent and has been flat for two years. February figures show that large electric vans are barely a blip on the radar. Infrastructure, cost and vehicle suitability all need to see improvements. Seeing them addressed and achieving EV parity with ICE will move the dial over time, but realigning restrictive red tape will help to accelerate uptake overnight.
“Regulatory hurdles based on historic parameters and yesterday’s vehicle parc are not suitable for the transition to cleaner, greener vehicles. Red tape is the single biggest barrier preventing electric van adoption. It is holding back hundreds of thousands of registrations. We know the Zero Emission Van Plan is getting heard; it has already helped to secure an extension to the Plug-in-Van Grant and the trimming of some red tape just last week. Now is the time for the Government to go further and faster to show it is taking our sector seriously.”
