UK government behind on zero emissions scheme

The government is failing to support the uptake of electric vehicles and needs to address issues surrounding taxation, infrastructure and supply if it hopes to meet its 'net zero' emissions by 2050.

This is according to new analysis from the BVRLA, which represents fleets that own or operate nearly five million cars and vans.

It found that the government must offer greater clarity about its tax policy. Persuading large fleet buyers to go electric is one of the fastest ways to boost the number of EVs on the road. A lack of clarity about what taxes will be levied on the buyers and users of EVs in future years means they are holding back.

Futher, there are still too many rapid charge point 'blackspots' and the ability to roam between different charging networks remains a challenge.

The government also needs to lead by example. It set a target to make 25% of its car fleet ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) by 2022, but recent data indicates that only two per cent are ULEVs.

The findings come in the association's new Road to Zero Report Card, produced by sustainability consultancy Ricardo, which provides a traffic-light assessment of the Government's progress towards meeting its zero-emission car and van targets.

'We are less than a year on from the launch of the Government's Road to Zero strategy and our own Plug-in Pledge,' said BVRLA chief executive, Gerry Keaney. 'Fleets across the UK have committed to this transition and are leading the zero-emission vehicle surge. Our research has found that they are desperate for clarity on future taxation and incentives, want better access to public charging and are frustrated at lead-times of over 12 months for the most popular EVs.'

To support its assessments, the BVRLA has made some key recommendations that it believes will get the UK's electric vehicle strategy back on track. These include: providing a five-year roadmap for motoring taxes and EV incentives; setting a national quota for EV registrations that ramps up between now and 2030; mandating universal methods of access and payment for public charge points.

Gerry added, 'Fleets are already spending billions of pounds on electric vehicles and can drive an even faster transition to zero emission motoring with more government support. Growing concerns around urban air quality and climate change mean that the Government is already updating its targets with more ambitious ones. We are ready to work with policymakers and the automotive supply chain in meeting today's and tomorrow's challenges.'