Four largest fleet operators call for EV commitment

BT and Openreach, Centrica, DPD UK and Royal Mail have called on the UK Government to commit to 100% electric vehicle sales by 2030.

The move, made by the the Climate Group’s UK Electric Fleets Coalition advocates for accelerating the transition to EVs in the UK by 2030. Collectively, the coalition operates around 500,000 vehicles.

The group has also announced new membership to the coalition, reaching almost 30 members, including some of the most well-known brands in the UK.

Members now include: Anglian Water, BT, Centrica, Dixons Carphone, DPD UK, EDF, E.ON, ENGIE, Fleet Alliance, Foxtons, Heathrow Airport, Hitachi Capital UK, Iberdrola/Scottish Power, Ingka Group (IKEA), LeasePlan, Lime, Mawdsleys, Mitie, Natwest Group, Octopus, Openreach, Orsted, OVO Energy, Royal Mail, Severn Trent, SSE, Tesco, Tusker and Unilever.

The coalition released a policy paper in the summer which called for the Government to set 100% EV new car and van sales by 2030; stimulate supply to meet business demand with a zero-emission vehicle mandate for manufacturers; extend grants for EVs until 2022; and invest in infrastructure.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Royal Mail who have just joined the coalition said: “I am really pleased that we are joining this coalition to help accelerate the transition to low carbon, electric fleets across the UK. 

“Our ‘feet on the street’ network means Royal Mail already has the lowest reported CO2 emissions per parcel amongst major UK delivery companies.

“But, we need to go further. We want to become a net zero carbon business with a 100% alternative fuel fleet. We want to play a leading role on this agenda. To that end, we are committed to buying more alternative fuel vehicles for our fleet. We will work with this coalition to champion and enable the widespread implementation of charging infrastructure to make that happen in as many locations as possible across the UK.”

CEO of international non profit, the Climate Group, Helen Clarkson, said: “When you combine these names together, you get an incontestable voice from businesses asking for more ambitious policies on transport from the UK Government.”

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