BVRLA’s Road to Zero report is out for 2024, revealing the challenges curtailing the UK’s journey to zero-emission road transport.

The new report shows how certain market-wide challenges are impacting the EV transition

The annual report explores latest progress in decarbonisation across vehicle supply, demand and infrastructure, and the 2024 edition – available to access here – shows how certain market-wide challenges are impacting the transition, bringing major headwinds.

BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney said: “In a landmark year for road transport decarbonisation, electric car registrations are stalling, demand for electric vans is falling, while the used market for EVs faces collapse. Early momentum is waning. We have over one million zero-emission vehicles on the road, yet demand is imbalanced. We have more public charge points rolling out every month, yet confidence is slipping.”

The report, produced in association with Ricardo, notes that business leasing for electric cars remains strong and is supporting manufacturers’ effort to meet the ZEV mandate, but demand for personal leasing has seen a slight decline. Rental utilisation of electric cars is limited and shows low demand as a result of driver concerns over charging and vehicle suitability.

Charge point rollout is showing strong performance and remains on track to surpass the UK target of 300,000 units by 2030. Improvements in the existing network are being shown in better reliability, but the charging experience still needs development. Van-accessible charge points are not commonplace and there are universal calls for charge points to be booked in advance and for payments to be simplified.

Elsewhere, the Road to Zero Report explores the changing picture of repair, maintenance and insurance, as well as the state of the used BEV market and how it will evolve as the UK’s car parc changes. Across the core themes of vehicle demand, supply and infrastructure, the report provides updated KPIs and progress indicators.

The report also features up-to-date industry data and analysis with insights from senior stakeholders representing all corners of the vehicle rental, leasing, fleet management, and associated sectors.

Gerry Keaney added: “This year’s Road to Zero Report presents a warts-and-all review of where we stand today. It highlights where the biggest wins can be delivered and how to stimulate previously overlooked sectors. Our new government must hit the ground running on road transport decarbonisation. Targeted action is needed on charging infrastructure, the used market, and the van transition. Armed with the insights in this report, we are ready to further those discussions right now.”

The Road to Zero Report is available in full via the dedicated RoadToZero.co.uk website.