The UK’s logistics sector has called for more government support to help with the cost of decarbonisation.
Logistics UK said that van fleet operators are struggling to switch over to electric vehicles (EVs) because of challenges relating to depot energy supplies, the cost of the vehicles and an inadequate public charging network.
The industry body argued that if the sector is to decarbonise effectively, in line with the government’s 2050 net zero deadline, additional government aid will be needed.
“The logistics sector is fully aware of its responsibilities to decarbonise and is keen to do so,” said David Wells, chief executive of Logistics UK. “However, with respondents reporting wide ranging costs to upgrade their energy supplies to depots — between £100,000 and over £1m — a lack of meaningful scrappage schemes, acquisition costs on the rise and volatile energy prices, it is an uphill battle that cannot continue without increased support from government.
“Our industry operates on very narrow margins of around 1% and with significant inflationary pressures, increased wage bills and the rise in total road vehicle operating costs, logistics businesses need supportive fiscal measures to be able to upgrade their fleets and energy supplies without having to pass on increased costs to customers.”
Wells noted that members who currently operate EVs expressed “significant frustration” over the difficulties in finding charging points that are available and in good working order.
He added: “With further issues surrounding the suitability of existing charging facilities for commercial vehicles, Logistics UK is calling for an EV charging and refuelling infrastructure roadmap to be prioritised. This must be designed in collaboration with operators, backed with clear guidance and incentives for local authorities.
“A significantly accelerated rollout of public charging infrastructure that is fully accessible to commercial vehicles, with clear milestones for minimum levels of suitable chargepoint provision across the country, must be an urgent priority for government if our industry is to meet its net zero priorities by 2050.”
In 2022, EVs represented 0.9% of the UK’s van fleet, up from 0.3% in 2019. A majority of the businesses surveyed by Logistics UK (62%) aim to have decarbonised their van fleets by 2030.
