Councils urged to sign ‘fleet friendly EV charging pledge’

Local authorities are being urged to support the rollout of fleet friendly electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has launched a campaign to support councils develop EV charging infrastructure, with a pool of resources and guidance.

At the same time, the trade association is urging them to sign a ‘Fleet Friendly EV Charging Pledge’ to demonstrate their long-term commitment to cleaner transport. 

By signing the pledge, it aims to ensure that councils will consider fleet operators and drivers in charging infrastructure plans and strategies; engage with the fleet sector to understand their EV charging requirements; and provide fleet focused EV charging information and guidance. 

With company-provided vehicles accounting for the majority of EVs on UK roads, the pool of resources has been designed to ensure that the differing needs of fleets are met alongside those of other road users. 

Toby Poston, BVRLA director of corporate affairs, said: “The race to decarbonise our road transport will be won or lost at a local level.

“Authorities are being asked to spearhead new public charging infrastructure strategies, but most of them are under-resourced, under-funded and dealing with a host of competing transport priorities.  

“The Government’s LEVI funding is hugely important, but policymakers also need support in understanding the needs of different fleet users, whether it is those based locally or those travelling through."

Poston continued: “Fleets are setting the pace when it comes to decarbonisation and will likely be the biggest early users of any new public infrastructure. 

“We are encouraging our local authority colleagues to consider fleet charging requirements, engage with operators at a local level and then support them where possible.” 

To ensure development of a vehicle charging network that works for everyone, the BVRLA is also urging fleet decision-makers to speak to local authorities.

All resources are freely available for industry professionals to access online, arming them with the information to begin discussions with their local authority.

The BVRLA team is also on hand to facilitate discussions between local authorities and industry representatives, via policy@bvrla.co.uk.