3 minute read
Electric Vehicles
by 55 North
SUSTAINABILITY: ELECTRIC VEHICLE FLEET ACCELERATOR
British companies work together to speed up mass adoption of EVs in the UK
SEVEN OF BRITAIN'S LARGEST COMPANIES ARE WORKING TOGETHER AS THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE FLEET ACCELARATOR
Seven major British companies, including the operators of some of the largest commercial vehicle fleets in the country, are working together to work to help accelerate the mass adoption of electric vehicles across the UK.
The seven companies – BP, BT, Direct Line Group, Royal Mail, Scottish Power, Severn Trent and Tesco – are working together as the Electric Vehicle Fleet Accelerator (EVFA). The companies are aiming to use electric fleets as a catalyst to speed up widespread conversion to electric vehicles across Britain.
The EVFA, which grew from Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Build Back Better Business Council, has published a 35-page report which details how supportive government policy could help unlock private sector investment of £50bn in infrastructure and in electric fleets in the UK over the next five years.
If the government delivers on this agenda, the EVFA members have committed to converting their fleets to electric vehicles by 2030, and to buying 70,000 British-built vans by 2030 or sooner.
The EVFA report spells out detailed recommendations for action, immediately and over the next decade and by both industry and government. It is focused in four key areas:
Future-proofing the electricity network infrastructure: ensuring that price controls and funding measures reflect the scale of the challenge, the need to invest in the network ahead of need, and support levelling up with investment in areas the market doesn’t reach.
Enabling the UK-wide rollout of charging infrastructure: fast-tracking EV charging infrastructure in the planning system, aligning with local authorities to unlock land for charging infrastructure, and setting clear funding frameworks.
Overcoming demand obstacles: increasing capital support for grid reinforcement costs, introducing minimum standards for reliability, safety and interoperability, and improving access to public charging networks.
Expanding the supply of UK-made vehicles: providing strong demand signals to OEMs from fleets, setting increasing requirements for zero-emissions vehicles for manufacturers, and incentivising the second-hand electric vehicle market with VAT exemption.
Boris Johnson said: “I wholeheartedly welcome this commitment by leading employers to fully electrify their van fleets by 2030. This announcement will be a major boost to British vehicle production.
“The government is committed to providing the electric charging points and other infrastructure the UK needs as we build back greener.”
Jonathan Brearley, Ofgem Chief Executive, added: “We are already accelerating investment in the energy networks that support a step change in charge points. We are reducing costs for installing new charging stations and building a market that will make sure that cars can charge at the cheapest possible time.
“We look forward to ongoing work with government, businesses – including members of the EV Fleet Accelerator – and the energy networks to ensure we have the energy system we need to support the electric vehicle revolution.”
Bernard Looney, Chief Executive of BP, said the company is also committed to playing its part. “We are growing our BP Pulse charging network across the UK, aiming to double its size by 2030. Working closely with government and partners, we can support and enable the transformation of transport in the UK,” he added.
In addition, Tesco Chief Executive Ken Murphy said the supermarket giant will fully electrify its fleet by 2028 as part of its commitment to net zero. He said: “Businesses can support the UK’s transition to zero emissions transport by switching to electric company fleets and helping customers do the same.
“If implemented, the recommendations in this report will deliver game-changing electric vehicle infrastructure for businesses and the public. We look forward to working with government alongside the members of the EVFA to achieve this ambition.”
Simon Thompson, Chief Executive of Royal Mail, added: “With the right policy and infrastructure in place, government and industry can turbo-charge the faster rollout of electric vehicles built in the UK.”
