However, T&E has also found a worrying disparity between vans and other vehicle types in terms of CO2 emissions. While the car market has seen a decline in diesel use, the van market has not followed suit. This has led to a stagnation in NOx emissions and an overall increase in CO2 emissions from new vans.
The Committee on Climate Change has noted that progress in reducing emissions from vans has been slow. T&E thus argues that corporate fleets, which own 58% of all vans in the UK and account for 76% of van mileage, have a significant role to play in making van mileage greener.
Despite these challenges, there is some positive news in the figures gathered by T&E. Sales of electric vans have increased seven-fold in the last five years, a trend that is expected to continue and accelerate.
The new Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which requires van manufacturers to sell more zero-emission vans, is expected to drive this transition. However, the full impact may not be seen until the flexibility built into the policy is phased out.
To support the transition to zero-emission vans, T&E suggests the following measures:
- Clean Air Measures: Implementing congestion charges and ultra-low emission zones to discourage the use of diesel vans in urban areas.
- Scrappage Schemes: Introducing programs to retire old diesel vans and extending grants for plug-in vans, particularly for small businesses, to reduce initial cost barriers.
- Charging Infrastructure: Developing a comprehensive plan for charging infrastructure to support both vans and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) as part of an electrified road freight system.
- Zero-Emission Logistics Zones: Establishing zones to promote the use of electric delivery vans and cargo bikes in urban areas.
T&E claims these measures are crucial to accelerating the shift towards greener transport and ensuring that the UK’s van fleet becomes more sustainable.