Last week’s BVRLA Parliamentary Reception was attended by over 80 parliamentarians and guests, who came together as the association launched its Fleet Friendly Charging Index and updated Fleet Charging Guide.
The BVRLA has discovered that 40% of Local Authorities in the UK are yet to engage with the fleet sector when considering electric vehicle charging needs. The results form part of the association’s new Fleet Friendly Charging Index, which also shows that nearly two thirds (63%) of authorities are yet to publish an EV strategy.
The BVRLA Fleet Friendly Charging Index highlights the scale of the challenge for fleets, who regularly battle with unreliable, inaccessible, or absent public charging infrastructure. Working hand in hand, the Index and updated Fleet Charging Guide provide some essential insights on the range of charging challenges that fleets are experiencing and highlight some ways in which local and national government, airports and electricity network operators (DNOs) can improve things.
The launch event at the House of Commons saw the association and senior industry stakeholders meet with MPs from all parties. MPs heard about the vital role that fleets play in bringing electric vehicles to UK roads, as well the extreme barriers presented by the current charging infrastructure. The event showed MPs how their constituency ranks at a national level and saw them pledge to support the rollout of a suitable EV infrastructure.
Speaking at the event, the Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP, Minster of State in the Department for Transport said; "In this market and in its wider supply chains, you [BVRLA and its members] are, from a government standpoint, a critical partner in the transition that we're making to zero emission vehicles.
“What we've seen today from all of the people taking part here is the importance of collaboration, and developing the two parallel tracks of more vehicle use and better infrastructure. That's what we're committed to within government.”
The association is calling on all members and fleet professionals to become part of the solution. The Fleet Friendly Charging Index features an interactive map to show the progress of each authority, as well as contact details for the local decision makers.
Each engagement with a Local Authority makes the sector’s voice louder and brings fleet needs up the agenda. The BVRLA team can be reached at [email protected] to discuss any activity further or share additional resources to facilitate local conversations.
