Government support must match zero-emission vehicle targets, says BVRLA

Fleets responsible for more than half-a-million battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have urged the Government to be bold or risk missing ambitious zero-emission vehicle targets.

Responding to the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) consultation, which closed yesterday (Tuesday, February 18), the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has highlighted three key issues that are critical if the UK’s transition away from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles is to be achieved.

Following an extensive dialogue with its members, Government officials, and a host of industry representatives and bodies, the BVRLA believes bold action is required to create a stable used BEV market, create demand for rental vehicles and enable electric van adoption.

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.”

The BVRLA says that the current used 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 also argues that the sector has unique challenges that are only exacerbated by forced supply of new vehicles. Customer demand is behind the business sector while infrastructure installation is a costly and time-consuming process.

Furthermore, it believes that removing regulatory barriers for electric vans presents an easy-to-implement, inexpensive solution that could bring tens of thousands of electric vans to UK roads in the next few years.