Europe urges capitals for emissions-free zones by 2030.

In a push towards a greener future, governments in the UK and Europe are being called upon to establish zero-emission freight zones by 2030 to promote the adoption of electric vans. A recent report by Transport & Environment and the Clean Cities Campaign emphasises the crucial role that electric vans will play in the decarbonisation of city centres, highlighting the increasing popularity of zero-emission zones in Europe.

Zero-emission freight zones, where only electric vans are allowed, are gaining traction in many European cities. The report underscores the need for more cities, including London, to implement similar schemes to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality. Notably, 20 Dutch cities, such as Amsterdam and Rotterdam, are taking the lead by introducing zero-emission zones for freight from next year, using partnerships between private and public sectors.

The report also projects a significant rise in the sale of electric vans, estimating that 3.9 million e-vans will be sold in the EU and UK between 2025 and 2030. This surge in sales will provide enough electric vans for all 27 EU capitals and London to establish zero-emission zones for freight transportation.

According to Transport & Environment and the Clean Cities Campaign, fleets with over 100 vans would only account for 32% of the total supply of e-vans. Even if the zero-emission zones were expanded to cover fleets with 50 or 20 vans, there would still be an ample supply of electric vans to meet the demand in all 28 cities. The study also predicts that by 2026, there will be more electric van models available than diesel and petrol models, showcasing the growing market for electric vehicles.

Furthermore, the report anticipates that battery electric vans will become cheaper to purchase than diesel vans by 2027, as battery costs continue to decrease. Taking into account the total cost of ownership, including fuel and maintenance, previous studies have shown that electric vans are already more cost-effective than diesel vans in many European countries when incentives are considered.

Barbara Stoll, senior director of T&E’s Clean Cities Campaign, expressed optimism about the future of electric vans in zero-emission zones, stating, “With an ample supply of electric vans and the prospect of them becoming more affordable than diesel alternatives by 2027, businesses will have all they need to operate within zero-emission freight zones across Europe.”

For more detailed information, the full report can be accessed online here.