Million more vans on UK roads

The total number of vans on UK’s roads has increased by more than a million since 2014, new research from Transport and Environment (T&E) suggests.

To create a path to zero emission vehicles, the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate requires one in 10 van sales to be zero-emission in 2024, rising to 70% in 2030.   

Electric battery vans in the UK have increased more than sevenfold between 2018 and 2023. Yet, UK uptake falls behind other Western European countries, including France, Germany and The Netherlands, says T&E. 

In response, Clean Cities is launching the Clean Cargo Capital, a campaign focused on establishing Central London as a world-class business district for zero-emission mobility. 

Transport & Environment UK alongside this is calling for the next Government to do more to financially incentivise investment in zero emission vans and to expand and improve infrastructure to improve confidence among those considering the switch.

Oliver Lord, UK head of Clean Cities, said: “There’s no way we’ll clean our air and hit our climate goals unless we do more to help businesses switch away from polluting diesel vans, which are increasing in record numbers.

“The share of electric vans sold in the Netherlands is twice that in the UK, which is no doubt driven by Dutch cities introducing zero emission zones for delivery and goods vehicles next year. 

“Newly elected mayors and a new Government offers an opportunity for the UK to get fired up and do everything it can to boost electric van sales.

“With greater regulatory ambition, better incentives and continued support for small businesses, there is every possibility that London could become the clean cargo capital of the world.”

Ralph Palmer, UK electric vehicle and fleets officer at T&E, labelled a continued rise in van emissions in the UK as “alarming”.

“Despite the push for more electric vans on our roads, we are still witnessing a surge in greenhouse gas emissions from vans as a result of sustained sales of diesel vans, countering trends we are seeing in the car market,” he said. 

“The ZEV mandate introduced this year is an important step to increasing the supply of electric vans to the UK, but it’s clear that more action is needed to boost electric van demand among fleets to ensure we achieve the triple-win of tackling emissions, reducing running costs for small businesses, and boosting energy security.

“The new Government should bring forward plans for stronger financial support and action to improve the nation's charging infrastructure for van drivers to ensure the UK doesn’t continue to fall behind other European countries.”