The Freight Transport Association (FTA) says that a?ban on the sale in the UK of new petrol, diesel or hybrid vans and cars from 2035 will not be achievable unless the government takes urgent action to solve the challenges around power supply and the availability of electric vehicles.

Responding to the news yesterday that a?ban on purchasing new petrol, diesel or hybrid cars and vans in the UK will be brought forward from 2040 to 2035, FTA head of UK policy Christopher Snelling commented: “In the view of FTA, the 2035 target is very ambitious for the van market; unless the government takes urgent action to solve the challenges around power supply and the availability of electric vehicles, it will not be an achievable feat.

“FTA and its members fully support the government’s ambition to decarbonise the road transport industry – our Electric Vehicle Report shows that operators want to switch to electric – but we need to see urgent action from government to ensure the right infrastructure is in place and the market is ready.  

“According to FTA, the key issue is power supply; the depots and homes where vans are currently stationed do not have sufficient power supply to charge the vehicles. Logistics companies do not control or own this power supply infrastructure; FTA is calling on the government to share its strategy on how it plans to power the UK’s fleet of millions of vans.?

“Until the issue of power supply is resolved, it is very unlikely – in the view of FTA – that 100% of new vans bought after 2035 will be electrically powered.” 

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which represents car and van makers in the UK, yesterday said that the UK government had set the new target without a plan showing how it intends to get there. It said the government needed to “commit to a massive and urgent uplift in public charging infrastructure, ensuring an adequate mix of the right chargers in the right places is deployed in a coordinated fashion throughout the country”.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “While ambition is understandable, as we must address climate change and air quality concerns, blanket bans do not help short-term confidence. To be successful, government must lead the transition with an extensive and appropriately funded package of fiscal incentives, policies and investment to drive demand. We want to deliver air quality and environmental improvements now, but need a strong market to do so.”

Source:lloydsloadinglist

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