An estimated 160,000 registrations of new large electric vans could be unlocked over the next two years if restrictive regulations are addressed by the Government.

Seven in 10 fleet operators say regulatory barriers are the single biggest barrier to adopting heavier electric vans

The claim, made by the coalition behind the Zero Emission Van Plan, follows a survey that saw 70% of fleet operators confirm regulatory barriers are the single biggest barrier to adopting 4.25-tonne electric vans.

An official consultation closed this week and seeks to establish the feasibility of removing the restrictions for heavier electric vans, causing them to be treated on a level playing field with the equivalent diesel models.

The Government has already axed training requirements for such vans in a latest announcement – but the organisations behind the Zero Emission Van Plan say that other regulatory barriers need to be addressed and they have submitted an official response as part of the consultation, putting the case for the sector forward and highlighting the critical role positive action would have in driving uptake of electric vans.

Longstanding regulations that come into effect based on the weight of a vehicle have unintentionally created a discrepancy between larger electric vans and their diesel counterparts. The regulatory misalignment between 4.25-tonne electric vans and 3.5-tonne diesel models – despite them being operated in the same way – means that large electric vans require an MOT in year one, as well as facing restrictions on the distances a driver can travel.

The Zero Emission Van Plan survey was completed by fleets representing nearly 200,00 vans currently on UK roads. An overwhelming majority confirmed that the removal of the regulations for heavier electric vans would motivate them to start purchasing them. Applying that intention across the full sector, changing the regulations is estimated to account for 160,000 additional electric vans coming to market between now and 2027.

Seeing these regulatory barriers addressed has been a key ask of the Zero Emission Van Plan since its launch in Parliament in February 2024.

A spokesperson 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.”

The Zero Emission Van Plan coalition includes the BVRLA, Logistics UK, the REA and its EV forum REcharge UK, the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP), and the EV Café.

The Zero Emission Van Plan can be viewed online.