Five months into the new Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate regime, there is little evidence of it yet igniting the LCV market, according to the Zero Emission Van Plan Coalition.

The Zero Emission Van Plan is calling for increased fiscal support, improved charging and the removal of regulatory barriers

Latest new van registration figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that while battery electric van (BEV) demand rose 3.5% in May to achieve a 4.2% market share, the figure was almost unchanged from last year’s 4.1% share.

And for the year to date, overall BEV uptake has fallen 2.1%, delivering a 4.8% market share, down from 5.2% and showing a major shortfall from the ZEV mandate target of 10% for each individual brand.

The industry coalition behind the Zero Emission Van Plan has warned again that fundamental barriers are preventing eLCV adoption and need urgent attention.

A spokesperson for the Zero Emission Van Plan said: “The ZEV mandate has been introduced to stimulate supply, but demand is lagging. Electric LCVs are too expensive and struggle to cope with the operational needs of many van fleets, particularly when it comes to charging.

“The Zero Emission Van Plan is clear. For the transition to work, we need increased fiscal support, improved charging and the removal of regulatory barriers. While many fleets are making the switch and seeing early success, the majority are unable to adopt greener vehicles due to the financial and operational sacrifices that are required.”

The major challenges fleets are facing in the eLCV transition were laid bare earlier this year in research carried out by the Van Plan consortium.

Its survey of more than 50 operators with a combined fleet of over 200,000 vans found:

• 87% said the transition to zero-emission vans was not on track
• 87% said the Plug-in Van Grant needed to be extended beyond 2024/5
• 90% said new grants were needed to fund the transition

These electric vehicle challenges, and the role that the next government can play in resolving them, form the basis of the Zero Emission Van Plan, which was launched in Parliament earlier this year.

The coalition behind the Plan includes the BVRLA, Logistics UK, the REA and its Recharge UK EV forum, the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) and the EV Café.

“Policymakers need to take the transition to zero-emission vans more seriously. Vans are the workhorses of the UK economy and the fastest growing part of the vehicle parc. The incoming government must do more to support electric van users,” the spokesperson concluded.

The full Zero Emission Van Plan can be viewed here. Fleet operators can share their views on the transition via the Operator Experiences survey.