Venson Automotive Solutions is urging the government to take decisive action against what it describes as unachievable targets and restrictive regulations to ease the burden on the commercial fleet sector.

The zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate took effect in early 2024, setting annual targets for an increasing percentage of new cars and vans to be electric.

“Although the ZEV mandate provides for lower quotas for vans than for cars, it does not take into account the pace at which electric vans can be integrated into fleets,” explained Simon Staton, director of customer management at Venson .

“The challenge for fleet operators is that currently available electric vans do not always meet commercial requirements.

“For example, payload, mileage and charging infrastructure mean that electric vans cannot always meet a business’s operational requirements.

“Forcing a premature transition to electric vans would require a lot of planning and negotiation within a company, and sometimes unions, to change operational methods of working. »

Regulations have added further complications and slowed the adoption of large electric vans. An issue raised in the Venson 2021 white paper, Operating Commercial Vehicles Beyond 3.5t, remains relevant today: Due to the weight of electric vehicle batteries, larger electric vans are subject to multiple rules and regulations originally intended to heavy goods vehicles (PL). sector.

The Government is assessing the safety implications of making it easier for fleets to operate electric vans by changing the rules for operating 4.25 tonne vehicles.

The previous administration announced in October 2023 that the additional five-hour driver training requirement would be removed for electric vans weighing up to 4.25 tons.

With heavier vans also subject to heavy goods vehicle operator licensing rules, he also promised to change towing allowances and expand flexibility to cover all vehicle types, beyond goods vans, recognizing that additional measures were needed to support their adoption.

In May, the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) said it planned to introduce legislation by the end of the year, but the general election in July means any changes are now considered by the new government.

The weight limit for Category B driving license holders driving alternative fuel vehicles (AFV) was increased from 3.5t to 4.25t in 2018.

However, Abdul Chowdhury, head of the automotive policy team at OZEV, told delegates at last week’s Fleet and Mobility Live that the Department for Transport (DfT) was still working to exempt these heavier electric vans from the restrictions of operator license.

Staton said: “With the right vehicles, the right prices and a clear, workable government strategy that addresses the regulatory aspects of running a commercial fleet, the UK electric van market could improve in the medium to long term. .

“Overall, at present, there is no denying that the situation is far from rosy.”