The UK could see an extra 160,000 registrations of large electric vans over the next two years if restrictive rules were eased by the government, according to the Zero Emission Van Plan.
The campaign, which includes the BVRLA, Logistics UK, the REA and its EV forum REcharge UK, the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP), and The EV Café, said the claim was based on a survey of fleet operators.
It found 70% of respondents saw regulatory barriers as the single biggest barrier to adopting 4.25t electric vans, since although a derogation allows these vans to be classed as LCVs for driving licence purposes, they are still subject to rules applied to heavier vehicles, such as needing an MOT after a year, and restrictions being applied to the distances a driver can travel.
The Zero Emission Van Plan said deregulation had been one of its key asks since its launch in February 2024, and that it had actively engaged with the government on the subject during a recent consultation.
A spokesperson for the campaign said: “Electric van registrations are standing still. Market share remains at a single-digit percent 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.
“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.”
