Within the UK government’s recent Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener comes the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate, which gives a £350 million commitment to support the electrification of UK vehicles and their supply chains and another £620 million for targeted electric vehicle grants and infrastructure, particularly local on-street residential charge points, with plans to put thousands more zero emission cars and vans onto UK roads.
Helen Clarkson, CEO of the international non-profit Climate Group, said: “Alongside more than 30 leading UK businesses in the UK Electric Fleets Coalition, we’ve been calling for the government to adopt a zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate to offer clarity and certainty to businesses as they adopt EVs across their fleets. We welcome the UK government’s decision to implement a ZEV mandate as part of its Net Zero Review.
“With lack of vehicle supply one of the key barriers to EV uptake for fleet operators, a ZEV mandate will be crucial to accelerate the development and release of new electric vehicles. This measure will also help to make EVs more accessible and affordable for individuals in the coming years, as cars bought by businesses today will form the basis for the second-hand market of tomorrow.
“We will look for further details on the policy during the consultation period in 2022, but ahead of COP26, it’s important to see the UK government showing leadership on clean road transport”
Openreach CEO, Clive Selley, said: “We’re committed to doing our bit to tackle climate change and reducing our operational impact. With more than 27,000 vehicles, we operate the second largest commercial van fleet in the UK, and we’re aiming to make the transition to electric by 2030.
“We want to lead the charge towards creating a green fleet so the introduction of a zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) mandate – announced today – is a positive step to ensure the increase of the supply of electric vehicles which is crucial if we’re to reach our target.”
Peter Jelkeby, Country Retail Manager and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA UK and Ireland, said: “At IKEA we’re committed to assembling a better future for the planet we all call home and limiting the impact of climate change, so we welcome the UK Government’s announcement of a ZEV mandate today, which we believe is crucial for ensuring the transition to a net zero economy and the mass uptake of sustainable transport.”
Lucy Simpson, head of EV enablement at Centrica Business Solutions, said: “As an organisation that is supporting the transition to electrified transport for our customers, as well as delivering on our own commitment to a fully electrified fleet by 2025, implementation of a ZEV mandate has the potential to drive a gear-change in uptake, and reinforce the UK’s place as a climate leader. In the countdown to COP26, this is an important step towards delivering a cleaner transport network that’s both affordable and convenient for consumers.”
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