Electric vehicles are gaining in popularity as the overwhelming majority of van operators revealed in a survey they plan to use them in their fleets this year.
According to the survey by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and Santander 71.4% of van operators plan to use electric vehicles in their fleets in 2019.
Denise Beedell, policy manager for vans and urban at FTA, said that while operators were committed to using electric vehicles in fleets, government needed to provide certainty about what infrastructure would be available.
“By providing clear guidance on how it plans to upgrade the grid infrastructure – without all the costs falling on individual businesses – legislators would make the shift to electric an attractive option for companies of all sizes and shapes. But more must be done to ensure it is a fully viable low-emission solution.
“For example, electric vans are still significantly more expensive to purchase than their standard fuel-based counterparts; public charging points must be available for use by businesses as well as residents.”
Beedell added: “FTA is calling on government to review its approach to the grid infrastructure upgrade – a costly project which should not be left to individual commercial operators to fund.”
The survey polled over 500 freight and logistics businesses operating in the UK and internationally.
According to Sam Clarke, founder of ASOS’s zero carbon delivery partner Gnewt Cargo, retailers are not embracing delivery vehicles but will soon be forced to by a combination of public opinion and regulation.
Image: Gnewt
