Fleets call for 2030 new van ban clarity as full EVs struggle (video)

Fleet decision-makers are calling for clarity around what powertrains for new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) will be allowed beyond 2030.

Fleet News revealed in July that the Government would be restoring the 2030 phase-out date for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. However, no mention was made of vans.

Then, last month (September), the Government suggested that the sale of new hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) could be allowed until 2035, with the Department for Transport (DfT) to consult on what the qualifying criteria will be for cars and vans.

The Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) has said that reinstating the 2030 phase-out date for the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vans is not “practicable”. 

Debating the end date for the sale of new petrol and diesel LCVs, Chris Connors, head of fleet and travel at ISS, told September’s Fleet News at 10 webinar: “We need the leasing providers, we need the manufacturers, we need the fleet users, we need everybody around the same table to map out how we go from now, because we all want to do the right thing for the environment.

“We all want to move to the least emitting vehicles that we can do. It’s just help on how we get there that we need.”

Simon Ungless, commercial group fleet manager at the AA, told Fleet News at 10 that it would be helpful if hybrid vans are allowed beyond 2030.