Labour has been urged to scrap regulations for electric vans which could help unlock an estimated 160,000 new registrations over the next two years.
It follows a report from the coalition behind the Zero Emission Van Plan, which found that 70 per cent of fleet operators identified regulatory barriers as the single biggest obstacle to adopting 4.25-tonne electric vans.
Fleets are now eagerly awaiting the outcome of a Government consultation on "Zero emission vans: regulatory flexibility", which closed on Monday.
The consultation examined rules related to annual vehicle testing, drivers' hours, tachographs, and speed limiter devices currently required for heavier electric vans.
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The main proposals in the consultation include transferring the annual testing of zero emission goods vehicles from the heavy vehicle testing system to the MOT network.
It also sought views on amending annual testing schedules so that first tests occur after three years from registration rather than one year.
Another key proposal involves removing heavier electric vans from requirements for tachograph use, drivers' hours rules and specific road transport working time rules when used within Great Britain.
The Zero Emission Van Plan coalition engaged with Government officials throughout the consultation process and submitted an official response.
A spokesperson for the Zero Emission Van Plan said: "Regulatory hurdles based on historic parameters and yesterday's vehicle parc are not suitable for the transition to cleaner, greener vehicles.
"Red tape is the single biggest barrier preventing electric van adoption. It is holding back hundreds of thousands of registrations.
"We know the Zero Emission Van Plan is getting heard; it has already helped to secure an extension to the plug-in van grant and the trimming of some red tape just last week. Now is the time for the Government to go further and faster to show it is taking our sector seriously."
An overwhelming majority of survey respondents confirmed that removing regulations for heavier electric vans would motivate them to start purchasing them.
Applying that intention across the full sector, changing the regulations is estimated to account for 160,000 additional electric vans coming to market between now and 2027, the report revealed.
Addressing these regulatory barriers has been a key ask of the Zero Emission Van Plan since its launch in Parliament in February 2024.
The Zero Emission Van Plan spokesperson added: "Electric van registrations are standing still. Market share remains at a single-digit percentage and has been flat for two years.
"February figures show that large electric vans are barely a blip on the radar. Infrastructure, cost and vehicle suitability all need to see improvements. Seeing them addressed and achieving EV parity with ICE will move the dial over time, but realigning restrictive red tape will help to accelerate uptake overnight."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Current regulations require heavier electric vans to undergo more stringent testing and comply with additional rules compared to their lighter ICE counterparts.
Find Out More...
It follows a report from the coalition behind the Zero Emission Van Plan, which found that 70 per cent of fleet operators identified regulatory barriers as the single biggest obstacle to adopting 4.25-tonne electric vans.
Fleets are now eagerly awaiting the outcome of a Government consultation on "Zero emission vans: regulatory flexibility", which closed on Monday.
The consultation examined rules related to annual vehicle testing, drivers' hours, tachographs, and speed limiter devices currently required for heavier electric vans.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
The main proposals in the consultation include transferring the annual testing of zero emission goods vehicles from the heavy vehicle testing system to the MOT network.
It also sought views on amending annual testing schedules so that first tests occur after three years from registration rather than one year.
Another key proposal involves removing heavier electric vans from requirements for tachograph use, drivers' hours rules and specific road transport working time rules when used within Great Britain.
The Zero Emission Van Plan coalition engaged with Government officials throughout the consultation process and submitted an official response.
A spokesperson for the Zero Emission Van Plan said: "Regulatory hurdles based on historic parameters and yesterday's vehicle parc are not suitable for the transition to cleaner, greener vehicles.
"Red tape is the single biggest barrier preventing electric van adoption. It is holding back hundreds of thousands of registrations.
"We know the Zero Emission Van Plan is getting heard; it has already helped to secure an extension to the plug-in van grant and the trimming of some red tape just last week. Now is the time for the Government to go further and faster to show it is taking our sector seriously."
An overwhelming majority of survey respondents confirmed that removing regulations for heavier electric vans would motivate them to start purchasing them.
Applying that intention across the full sector, changing the regulations is estimated to account for 160,000 additional electric vans coming to market between now and 2027, the report revealed.
Addressing these regulatory barriers has been a key ask of the Zero Emission Van Plan since its launch in Parliament in February 2024.
The Zero Emission Van Plan spokesperson added: "Electric van registrations are standing still. Market share remains at a single-digit percentage and has been flat for two years.
"February figures show that large electric vans are barely a blip on the radar. Infrastructure, cost and vehicle suitability all need to see improvements. Seeing them addressed and achieving EV parity with ICE will move the dial over time, but realigning restrictive red tape will help to accelerate uptake overnight."
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Current regulations require heavier electric vans to undergo more stringent testing and comply with additional rules compared to their lighter ICE counterparts.
Find Out More...