Fleet Evolution urges new gov’t not to reverse 2030 ICE ban.

The 2035 deadline for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars/vans should be maintained by the Labour government, according to Fleet Evolution, rather than reverting back to the previous 2030 date set by the Tories.

Andrew Leech, the founder and managing director of the EV salary sacrifice specialist based in Tamworth, highlighted that a lack of UK charging infrastructure is impeding an earlier transition to electric vehicles. He urged Labour to stick with the 2035 plan, even though they intend to reinstate the 2030 date for cars.

Leech pointed out that while 60% of the UK population can easily charge their EVs at home, thanks to their driveway or garage, around 40% of drivers do not have this luxury. This segment has to rely on the more expensive public fast charger network, making electric vehicles less convenient and costly for them.

He emphasised the need for action from local authorities to implement street charging facilities, as the lack of such infrastructure forces many to use the often inconvenient and expensive public charging points. Leech also highlighted the significant cost difference between home charging and fast chargers, making EV ownership less affordable for many.

A survey conducted by Fleet Evolution in collaboration with Aston University in 2019 revealed that a majority of people without home charging options lacked suitable nearby facilities. Leech expressed disappointment that little progress had been made in providing affordable and convenient local charging in urban areas since then.

In 2023, the Tory government extended the ban on the sale of new ICE vehicles from 2030 to 2035. However, Labour plans to bring back the 2030 date for cars to offer certainty to manufacturers. The status of new vans remains unclear, with no clarification from the Department for Transport on whether the deadline for fossil-fuelled vans will also be moved forward by five years.

There is also ambiguity regarding the sale of mild and plug-in hybrid cars, as the original legislation allowed them until 2035. Leech argued that retaining the 2035 deadlines for all vehicles would provide manufacturers with more time to enhance their model line-ups and offer breathing space for infrastructure suppliers to extend and improve the charging network.

He stressed the importance of investing in resources for the 40% of the population who may be left behind in the shift to electric vehicles. Leech called for a coherent government strategy, especially in urban areas where people lack access to home chargers. He advocated for the use of cross-pavement charging solutions and a national strategy to support potential EV drivers without garages or driveways.

The BVRLA has raised concerns about the challenges of reinstating the 2030 phase-out date for fossil-fuelled cars and the feasibility of a 2030 phase-out target for new ICE van sales. FleetCheck also highlighted the hurdles of electric van adoption, signalling the need for clarity from the government on the diesel van ban.

Peter Golding, managing director at FleetCheck, pointed out the practical issues faced by fleet operators in transitioning to electric vans, citing compromises over range, payload, and charging times. He noted the slow adoption rate of electric vans among fleets and the limited prospects of significant change without substantial government support.