A coalition of UK fleets representing more than 400,000 cars and vans has urged the Government to bring forward the ban on new diesel and petrol vehicles.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has finished consulting on bringing forward the end to the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2040 to 2035, or earlier, and including hybrid vehicles for the first time. It is currently collating feedback before revealing its decision later this year.
The UK Electric Fleets Coalition, run by The Climate Group in partnership with BT Group, wants a Government target of 100% electric new car and van sales by 2030.
The Climate Group’s CEO, Helen Clarkson, said: “We need to build back better from the Covid-19 crisis as we look ahead to next year’s COP26 climate summit.
“Scaling up EV (electric vehicle) manufacturing and the nationwide charge point network are both huge opportunities for jobs and growth in the UK.
2020 Renault Zoe (Image: Renault)
“Businesses are making the switch themselves through our EV100 initiative and now they are coming together with a clear message to Government: match our ambition and help us move to clean electric transport.”
The UK Electric Fleets Coalition – Anglian Water, BT, Centrica, DPD UK, ENGIE, Fleet Alliance, Foxtons, Hitachi Capital UK, Iberdrola (Scottish Power), Ingka Group (IKEA), LeasePlan, Mawdsleys, Mitie, Natwest Group, Octopus, Openreach, Orsted, OVO Energy, Severn Trent, Tusker and Unilever – want a package of measures to boost the EV business case, stimulate EV manufacturing and strengthen the charging network.
In a policy paper, the UK Electric Fleets Coalition is arguing for Government to set a target for 100% of new car and van sales to be fully electric by 2030 (with exceptions for the small number of vehicles where this may not be possible).
It is also calling for ministers to introduce a zero-emission vehicle mandate to require vehicle manufacturers to produce an annually increasing percentage of zero-emission vehicles and extend grants for EVs and charging points through to at least 2022.
Read more: Smart Transport
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