Leading fleets call for ambitious targets in ZEV mandate

Some of the UK’s largest fleet operators, including BT Group, LeasePlan, Openreach and Royal Mail, are calling on the Government to set ambitious sales targets for zero emission vehicles (ZEVs). 

The Government published its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate proposals in March, which would force manufacturers to sell a certain proportion of electric vehicles (EVs) in the lead up to 2030.

In 2024, the target would be 22% for cars and 10% for vans, with the proportion of zero emission vehicles increasing year-on-year before reaching 80% and 70%, respectively, by 2030 and 100% by 2035.

The Climate Group, on behalf of the UK Electric Fleets Coalition, a group of 28 UK businesses with some of the largest fleets in the UK, has responded to the Government’s third and final consultation on the ZEV mandate by calling for ministers to implement ambitious sales targets for ZEVs.

Mandating that manufacturers sell more EVs, with stronger interim targets for sales in 2024 and 2027, will boost supply and help businesses go electric faster, the Climate Group said.

Catherine Colloms, managing director of corporate affairs and brand at Openreach, said: "We’re serious about our responsibilities to the planet and the communities we serve. As part of that we’ve pledged to be a net zero business and switch the bulk of our commercial van fleet to zero emissions by 2030.  

“We have the second largest commercial fleet in the UK and expect to have around 4,000 electric vans in our fleet by the end of March 2024.

“But like others, we continue to face shortages in the vehicle supply chain especially when it comes to range, functionality and choice - for some vehicle types there is simply no option yet. 

“Therefore, it's imperative that Government pushes ahead with the ZEV mandate so that we can lead the world when it comes to decarbonisation." 

Shortage of supply is most acute in the UK’s commercial van sector, with businesses ready to invest but unable to secure the electric vehicles that meet their specifications in the quantity they need.  

Sandra Roling, director of transport at the Climate Group, said: “It’s now up to the UK Government to offer the support businesses and drivers need in the switch to cleaner vehicles.

“The demand is clearly there, and our business members have consistently called for a ZEV mandate to help drive the EV supply – it’s vital to ensure cars and in particular vans are available in the volume and variety that companies need.  

“To do this, we need more ambitious interim sales targets, so we’re urging decision makers to push the boundaries.”  

She added: “The businesses we work with – like BT Openreach, LeasePlan and Royal Mail – are committed to investing in the technology, and with a simple, UK-wide and ambitious ZEV mandate introduced in 2024, they can help transform the UK’s roads faster. The sooner the mandate comes in, the better.” 

The UK’s ZEV mandate, says the Climate Group, should also be simple, consistent across the home nations with limited flexibilities and loopholes.