Several Government consultations are underway, with the BVRLA seeking member input to ensure that responses are fully representative of member views and outline the potential impacts on the sector. Three key consultations relating to decarbonisation are detailed below.
Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation – closes 27 January
This poses the question about whether the RTFO (Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation) should include Renewable Electricity. The BVRLA believes this is vital to ensure better coverage of charge points across the UK and to reduce the costs of public charging and private installations. It would also help fleets install their own infrastructure and bring down the costs of the installation and maintenance.
The association can supply draft text for members to lend their support to this and respond on behalf of their organisation. The BVRLA will also be submitting a response and will ask for the RTFO to include electricity in its response to the ZEV Mandate.
RTFO statutory review and future of the scheme - GOV.UK
Ofgem End to End Review – closes 12 February
Ofgem is consulting on how it can improve the connections process for customers connecting to the grid. The BVRLA has repeatedly raised grid connections as a challenge and has been working with the Energy Networks Association (ENA) on how it can improve the support given to fleets. It also hosted a meeting with members and Ofgem to discuss the review, so members could hear what is being proposed and flag some of their areas of concern.
The proposals from Ofgem would improve the standards of service across the different Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) and ensure more timely connections – both issues the BVRLA has persistently flagged as a concern.
The BVRLA’s workshop to gather feedback from members will be used to provide a response. Anyone interested in this area should let [email protected] know.
Connections end-to-end review of the regulatory framework | Ofgem
Zero Emission Vans Regulatory Flexibility – closes 3 March
The Zero Emission Van Plan has called for urgent action by Government to provide regulatory alignment for operators using 4.25t vans. This consultation addresses all the key asks that have been flagged i.e. changes to the MOT and to distances that can be travelled.
The BVRLA welcomes the consultation and is working with the Van Plan Coalition and members to evidence both the impact of Government not making these changes (i.e. holding people back from making the transition) and to alleviate any concerns regarding road safety i.e. MOT changes would pose no greater road safety risk if aligned with 3.5t vans.
Members are invited to share any evidence with [email protected]
Zero emission vans: regulatory flexibility - GOV.UK
