Why we cannot overlook vans and trucks in race to zero
The UK’s mission to deliver a zero emission passenger car market continues to get significant attention and rightly so, given the millions of people who rely on these vehicles every day. But just as important to decarbonisation are commercial vehicles. Vans and trucks, as the workhorses of businesses everywhere, tie together our society and economy but the two sectors are potentially even more challenged by the transition.
The immense scale of those challenges has crystalised in 2024 with new electric van uptake falling across the year to just 5.7% of the overall market – little more than half the proportion mandated. Manufacturers are doing everything they can, with more than half of all van models available as zero emission and massive incentivisation. These vehicles can still be purchased via the Plug-in Van Grant but the paucity of charging infrastructure to cater for their larger size and power requirements is holding back operator confidence to invest.
Similarly, without long-term planning to support zero emission HGV rollout, the jeopardy facing the UK’s van and car sectors could be repeated. In a month’s time we will be 10 years away from the end of sale of all new, non-zero emission trucks weighing up to 26 tonnes, which make up around seven in 10 new HGVs joining UK roads. This is the same date as currently exists for cars and vans, yet zero emission vehicles currently represent just 0.5% of the HGV market – a share unchanged since 2023. SMMT will continue to make the case for a modernised Plug-in Truck Grant, along with a strategy that delivers depot and public HGV-dedicated charging infrastructure because it’s essential that more operators can switch sooner rather than later.
Setting net zero targets shows the UK is serious about decarbonisation. But mandates alone are insufficient to deliver it. They must be realistic and backed with necessary support. That is why we will continue to work with government to ensure regulation is workable, with suitably ambitious incentives in place, as well as accessible, affordable and reliable EV charging infrastructure for all vehicles.
Creating an industrial strategy that reduces manufacturing costs, boosts skills, removes barriers to trade and fosters competitiveness will be equally critical to ensuring our country’s attractiveness for further investment in all types of vehicle development and production. With the right joined-up approach, for our markets and manufacturing base, we can e
