Electric fleets

The government has published a roadmap for its plan to ban the sale of all petrol and diesel vans by 2035, including hybrids.

The detailed strategy aims to make the UK the first nation to decarbonise parts of its transport network to improve urban air quality and meet international commitments to reduce emissions.

With a “single-minded focus on delivery”, the plan sets out targets and actions to drive change, including working together with businesses to support their zero-emission transition.

Under the plan, the government will ban the sale of cars and vans that are powered solely by petrol and diesel from 2030. From 2035, only zero-emission vehicles will be on sale, ending the era of combustion engines.

New regulations for road vehicles will be published in 2024 to accelerate change, while plug-in grants to reduce the price of EVs will continue until at least 2023.

The plug-in van grant provides funding of 35% of the purchase price for eligible LCVs up to £3,000 for vans weighing less than 2.5 tonnes, and up to £6,000 for vans between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes. Vans must emit less than 50g/km of CO2 and travel at least 60 miles without any emissions to be eligible.

This year, officials will also review the Category B van derogation, which allows drivers with a Category B (car) driving licence (who have undergone at least 5 hours of mandatory training) to drive alternatively fuelled heavy goods vehicles up to 4.25 tonnes. This removes a potential regulatory penalty for those switching to low emission vans.

The government will offer favourable company car tax rates to zero emission vehicles until at least 2025 and publish details on the type of hybrid cars and vans that can be sold between 2030 and 2035 as part of the phase out plan.

To support the mass uptake of EVs, the government will publish a guide to handling EV breakdowns this year and it is supporting professional standards for EV technicians and specialist garages.

A new standard for battery health monitoring and lifespan requirements is being created, which will build consumer confidence in the used vehicle market, where an ‘approved used EV’ scheme is also under development.

To emphasise its commitment to the transition, the government will decarbonise its own fleet by 2027, switching 40,000 vehicles to zero emissions, including 25% of the central government car fleet transitioning to ultra-low emission vehicles by next year.

There will also be a major drive to install charge points. The plan will see six rapid charge points at every motorway service area by 2023.

The roadmap includes investment in hydrogen, which is expected to play a key role in ‘areas that batteries cannot reach’, such as where energy density requirements or duty cycles and refuelling times make electric vehicles unsuitable.

This might include its use in heavy goods vehicles, buses, rail, shipping, aviation, and some specific duty cycle passenger vehicles.

The government will publish its hydrogen strategy later this year.

The 2035 delivery plan is part of a broader strategy to decarbonise all modes of transport by 2050.

Lisa Spong, Sales Director of Reflex Vehicle Hire, said:

“We are working closely with our customers to support the transition to zero emissions, with a growing plug-in fleet, ongoing training and an ambitious education programme to support fleet managers in their strategic decisions.

Our Reflex Renewable Drive programme provides fleets with essential exposure to zero-emission vehicles so managers can effectively develop their fuel transition plans, support drivers and educate board members on the changes and challenges ahead.”

To take part in the Reflex Renewable Drive Programme contact one of our expert team members. To review recent zero emission road tests by fleet managers, visit our Vehicle Trials page.

Download the Green Roadmap here.

*Graphics source: Transitioning to zero emission cars and vans: 2035 delivery plan – DfT 2021

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