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Seamus Leheny Policy Manager - Northern Ireland. Logistics UK
DECARBONISING THE ROAD SECTOR Following the recent 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, decarbonisation remains a key priority for both the government and the logistics industry. The conference brought together more than 130 nations to discuss and accelerate the action needed to tackle the global climate crisis. While the shift to zero-tailpipe emission vehicles is already underway – and many of Logistics UK’s members are already leading the sector in this area – there is still much that needs to be done to meet the government’s deadline for the UK to be carbon neutral by 2050. According to COP26’s research, road transport accounts for 10% of global emissions, and its levels are rising faster than those of any other sector. While many operators are already in the process of electrifying their van fleets, challenges remain regarding the cost of installing charging infrastructure at their depots, in addition to the potential cost of a power upgrade, should it be required to provide sufficient recharging capacity. Additionally, the results of Logistics UK’s May 2021 Logistics Performance Tracker survey demonstrated that just under 70% of respondents were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the availability of electric HGVs. To provide greater clarity, in July 2021, the government released its Transport Decarbonisation Plan which outlined its commitments and the actions needed to decarbonise all modes of domestic transport by 2050. Included within the plan is the intention to phase out the sale of new, non-zero emission – at the tailpipe – HGVs, subject to consultation. Following consultation, government has since confirmed that new non-zero tailpipe emission HGVs over 26 tonnes will be phased out in 2040, with those under 26 tonnes to be phased out in 2035.This is in addition to a 2030 phase out date for polluting cars and vans, with the date extended to 2035 for hybrids. Crucially, within the plan, the government committed to supporting the development of alternatively fuelled HGVs, with government feasibility studies now exploring three zerotailpipe emission alternatives: electric road systems, hydrogen and battery electric.
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Additionally, the plan provides greater certainty for all, including manufacturers who are making great progress, accelerated by these latest deadlines. However, to truly achieve Net Zero, industry needs the right technologies and vehicles that are commercially viable, with the right supporting infrastructure. And, with 70% of respondents to Logistics UK’s Performance Tracker survey also either dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the availability of supportive infrastructure for alternatively fuelled vehicles, Logistics UK is calling on the government to commit to ensuring public refuelling and charge point infrastructure can be rapidly developed, installed and is accessible for use by commercial vehicles, with the strategic road network a priority. Launching an electric vehicle infrastructure strategy for cars and vans – expected by the end of 2021 – is one of the government’s next steps in communicating its plans for the switch to electric vehicles. Ahead of this, Logistics UK has highlighted that widespread depot charging will be essential, so a fair and equitable approach to funding power upgrades is needed if this technology is to be adopted. Northern Ireland is currently the only part of the UK and Ireland without a Climate Change Act. Right now there are two separate bills passing through legislative stages in the Assembly, one calling for net zero by 2045, the other tabled by the DAERA Minister Edwin Poots setting a target of reducing carbon emissions by 82% by 2050 - Northern Ireland’s minimum contribution to help the UK reach net zero. To avoid Northern Ireland being left behind and economically disadvantaged compared to GB and Ireland, we need to see a single Bill passed before the end of this Assembly mandate so that the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive can prepare Climate Action Plans and join with the rest of the UK in Climate Change mitigation.
Only then will local commercial vehicle operators have some clarity on a future time scale for the transition of alternatively fuelled vehicles. While it is encouraging to see much progress being made towards the UK’s environmental targets, decarbonising the road sector will be complex, with fleet replacement cycles to be considered in addition to charging infrastructure concerns. Logistics UK will continue to work with government as well as its members to ensure industry is doing all that is possible to meet these deadlines, alongside ensuring sufficient government support. Logistics UK will also continue to work proactively with our local politicians and civil service here in Northern Ireland to ensure any plans and legislation agreed will assist our industry in the future transition and uptake of zero emission vehicles. Logistics UK is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With COVID-19, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods. For more information about the organisation and its work, including its ground-breaking research into the impacts of COVID-19 on the whole supply chain, please visit logistics.org.uk
