Single date for EV transition is a mistake says BVRLA

THE government’s preferred date of 2035 for the phasing out of all ICE vehicles has been criticised by the BVRLA as a “mistake”.

Responding to the 2035 phase out consultation period, which ended 31 July 2020, the BVRLA believes that such is the diversity of the UK’s fleet that setting a single date was unrealistic.

The association explained that 2035 would be an unambitious target for some market segments, but represented a near impossible challenge for others.

Chief executive, Gerry Keaney, said:

“Our response is the culmination of the biggest policy engagement process we have ever undertaken, involving dozens of stakeholders and BVRLA members from across the rental, car club, leasing and fleet management sectors.

“The net-zero transition is a huge undertaking and government must give specific consideration to the demand measures that will drive uptake, the supply measures that will ensure sufficient vehicles are available and the infrastructure measures that will meet different fleet operating requirements.”

The BVRLA suggests that the government tailors support and targets to each specific use case and set of barriers. For each fleet segment it says the government must give specific consideration to the demand measures that will drive uptake, the supply measures that will ensure sufficient vehicles are available and the infrastructure measures that will meet the fleet operating model.

The consultation focused on five key areas:

the phase out date
the definition of what should be phased out
barriers to achieving the above proposals
the impact of these ambitions on different sectors of industry and society and
what measures are required by government and others to achieve the earlier phase out date

Independent tax modelling from Cambridge Econometrics

At the same time as responding to the government request for consultation on its ICE phase out date, the BVRLA also published new independent tax modelling from Cambridge Econometrics. The modelling shows that the government will need to invest nearly £100 billion between now and 2050 if it is to have any chance of meeting its phase out target for the new car market.

“The government is about to set road users some very ambitious and expensive targets for decarbonising their fleets. BVRLA members are up for the challenge, but government needs to show similar ambition and investment in providing a supportive policy environment and an effective tax and incentive regime.

Zero emission vehicle mandates are not the answer. We need to align our electric vehicle strategy with our closest markets in the EU, where grants and incentives have proved much more successful.