The BVRLA has called for bold action on the used and rental BEV markets along with comprehensive measures on electric vans to drive EV take-up.

The BVRLA said Labour must back strong transport decarbonisation ambitions with strong actions

In its response to the zero-emission vehicle consultation that closed yesterday, the industry association said the Government must back its strong ambitions on road transport decarbonisation with a series of strong actions to ensure UK targets are met.

This includes creating a healthy, stabilised used battery electric vehicle (BEV) market to ensure a successful new vehicle market.

The BVRLA, which engaged extensively with its members, government officials and a host of industry representatives and bodies for its consultation response, warned again that the current market is not set up to absorb the high levels of supply coming its way, driving high vehicle depreciation that pushes values of new vehicles up.

It’s also called for work to create demand for rental vehicles as it warns the sector is facing unique challenges that are only exacerbated by forced supply. Customer demand is behind the business sector while infrastructure installation is a costly and time-consuming process.

Lastly, the BVRLA has stressed the need for urgent action to enable electric van adoption. This includes removing regulatory barriers, which could bring tens of thousands of electric vans to UK roads in the next few years. A Department for Transport consultation opened late last year and explores a series of measures to drive adoption of heavier electric vans from 3.5 tonnes to 4.25 tonnes, after fleets warned that operational restrictions were preventing them from running such vehicles.

The Zero Emission Van Plan, launched last year as a joint campaign by the BVRLA, Logistics UK, Recharge UK, the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) and the EV Café, stressed the need for action on regulatory barriers, as well as fiscal incentives and charging.

BVRLA chief executive Toby Poston said: “Electric vehicle registrations have never been higher, but the fleet and mobility services sector’s confidence in a fast, fair and affordable net zero transition is wobbling.

“The long-awaited consultation on the ZEV mandate provides a valuable opportunity for the Government to realign its aims with the realities seen in the market. The targets are at major risk unless the policymakers deliver a comprehensive set of measures to drive long-term demand.”