Councils making use of new funding for charge points must create provision for commercial vehicles on the path to net zero, according to Logistics UK.

EV charge point facilities are often based around car use, leaving van users struggling to access them

This week saw the Government announce £56m in public and industry funding, which will be used to roll out the current Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) pilot further while also expanding the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS). The work also includes a new £8m LEVI Capability Fund to enable local authorities to scale up their plans when it comes to their charging strategy.

The investment will deliver an additional 2,400 charge points to the 3,000 charge points already installed through the ORCS programme.

But business group Logistics UK warned that electrification of commercial vehicles can’t be ignored if the industry is to hasten its transfer to net zero.

Denise Beedell, senior policy manager, commented: “Figures released in October 2022 by the Department for Transport showed the total number of public EV charge points in the UK reached 34,637. However, the UK Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy report, published in 2022, notes that the Government has predicted the UK will require at least 300,000 charge points by 2030.

“So, while this funding is a much-needed step forwards on the route to net zero, the charging requirements of the commercial vehicle sector must be factored into any developments.”

She added: “Local authorities must ensure that any new public EV charge point installation and infrastructure provides adequate electric vehicle charging infrastructure with sufficient space for use by commercial vehicles. An immediate uplift in the number of public charge points that can be used by battery electric vans and a recognition of the future needs of battery electric trucks, is vital to give the logistics sector the confidence to invest in zero-emission-at-the-tailpipe vehicles.”

The Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) has been warning for months that charging infrastructure is often unsuitable for vans, following reports from its members. Charge point facilities are often based around car use, leaving van users struggling to access them.

Lack of kerbside charging is also proving a big stumbling block for fleets looking to go electric. AFP data indicates around 60-70% of fleet van drivers need kerbside charging installed in order to use an electric van – higher than the c.40% of car drivers.

In June 2022, the AFP published a list of the UK’s local authorities most in need of kerbside charging to help company van drivers go electric. The table is based on its national kerbside charging map and is headed up by Birmingham City Council, followed by City of Edinburgh Council, London Borough of Croydon Council, Glasgow City Council and the London Borough of Newham.

Paul Hollick, AFP chair, said the requirement for kerbside charging remained the single biggest obstacle to the adoption of electric vans for businesses.