Experts are warning that urgent progress is needed to support the uptake of electric trucks and vans, and address issues with public charging.
A new report from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has warned that switching to zero emission commercial vehicles could shrink the UK's carbon footprint by 35.7 megatonnes.
However, grid processes mean truck and van operators could be forced to wait up to 15 years for depot charging connections, putting them in jeopardy of failing to meet the 2035 phase-out date of non-zero emission vehicles.
The SMMT and other industry leaders are calling for a planning overhaul, prioritised grid connections, and action to reduce energy costs and achieve net zero targets.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk
Experts are warning that action is needed to boost electric van uptake
GETTY/PA
There are just over five million vans and 626,000 trucks on UK roads, which transport more than 80 per cent of all domestic freight, while adding £13.5billion to the economy each year.
Even though commercial vehicles make up only 14 per cent of vehicles on the road, they are responsible for more than one-third of all road transport CO2.
They also represent a concerningly high 12 per cent of the UK's total carbon footprint, given their higher mileage.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, warned that the UK "cannot deliver net zero" without decarbonising commercial vehicles.
He said: "But if operators have to wait up to 15 years just to be able to plug them into their depots, there is no case for investment.
"Prioritising grid connections, alongside reform to planning and action on energy costs, would reduce barriers to adoption, ensuring commercial vehicles continue to carry the loads that keep our economy on the move whilst doing the heavy lifting the nation needs to reach net zero."
There are more than 35 zero emission van models, as well as over 30 ZEV truck models, although uptake is "significantly behind ambition".
The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate requires 16 per cent of new van sales to be electric by the end of the year, while the target for cars is slightly higher at 28 per cent.
At present, electric van registrations account for around 8.3 per cent of the market share. It is estimated that 167,000 more ZEV vans will hit the road over the next three years.
While this would see the market share reach 25 per cent by the end of 2027, it would be below the ZEV mandate target of 34 per cent.
The SMMT report notes that there is a distinct lack of electric HGVs, with fewer than 600 ZEV heavy goods vehicles being seen on roads.
Grants for plug-in vans and trucks, as well as the Government's Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, are working to increase uptake, but the SMMT warned that action was needed to remove "administrative gridlock to investment".
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
There are more than 35 different electric van models on the market
PAThe report comes as the industry gathers for the 25th Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC in Birmingham, with more than 200 exhibitors expected to attend.
Alongside 15,000 visitors, many fleet operators will be collaborating on ways to decarbonise the sector and slash emissions.
Most read
More
