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Last week, the BVRLA brought together policymakers and industry leaders to discuss progress on the Zero Emission Van Plan and the steps still needed to accelerate adoption. Kindly sponsored by Sarah Edwards MP, the event took place at the House of Commons, Westminster.
Guests heard from Transport Minister Keir Mather, BVRLA Chief Executive Toby Poston, and Sarah Gray, Chair of the BVRLA Commercial Vehicle Committee, each reinforcing the importance of sustained collaboration between government and industry.
Over the past two years, the Zero Emission Van Plan has delivered meaningful progress. The combined efforts of government and industry have helped establish a clearer and more practical policy framework that better reflects the critical role vans play in the UK economy. Measures such as the extension of the Plug-in Van Grant, reduced regulatory barriers, and funding to support depot charging are beginning to remove some of the obstacles faced by operators.
However, while the policy direction is improving, this has not yet translated into mass market adoption. Uptake of electric vans remains well below what is needed, particularly among SMEs. High upfront costs, inconsistent charging provision and marginal business cases for many continue to undermine confidence at scale.
Looking ahead, there are three key areas where further action could unlock progress:
- A public charging network designed with vans in mind
- Fairer pricing between public and private charging
- A stronger used electric van market, underpinned by confidence in batteries, residual values and warranties.
Addressing these challenges would help electric vans move from a niche solution to a mainstream choice for fleets and businesses.
The BVRLA, alongside its Zero Emission Van Plan partners, will continue to work with government and industry to turn ambition into adoption and ensure the UK remains at the forefront of the transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles.
Find out more about the Zero Emission Van Plan campaign.
