Are Van’s Electric? London Mayor Wants More
There can
be no doubt that the green agenda is accelerating at an increasing
pace. The recent Extinction Rebellion demonstrations clearly show
that the public is becoming energised by the impact of fossil fuels
on the planet. Not to mention the health issues caused by polluted
air in our towns and cities.
London is
leading the way in taking decisive action to address these justified
concerns. The implementation of the extended ULEZ scheme shows how
determined London Mayor Sadiq Kahn is in cleaning up the city’s
act. He has now turned his attention to the vehicles that will use
London’s roads with a clear commitment to substantially increase
the numbers of electric vehicles in the city by 2030. As he said
recently:
“We
need to reject the fossil fuels of the past and embrace an electric
revolution in London’s transport. To truly transform the quality of
our air and to tackle the climate crisis London must move away from
petrol and diesel cars, with their catastrophic impact on the
environment, and towards zero-emission vehicles.”
Green
Shoots
Khan’s
vision is undeniably ambitious as the accelerated implementation of
the ULEZ clearly shows. He has now set up a taskforce to look at
other ways to clean up London’s air.
The
Mayor’s focus now is on increasing the numbers of electric vehicles
on London’s streets. This will need a vast network of rapid
charging points to ensure the city can service this increase in
electric vehicles, and the development will need to be implemented
quickly. There is already a range of zero-emission vehicles poised to
take to London’s roads. These include passenger vehicles, electric
taxis and Europe’s biggest fleet of electric buses.
To
facilitate this increase in demand plans are in place to install 175
rapid charge points. To supplement these, there will also be 1100
electric vehicle charging-points installed on lampposts throughout
London boroughs.
Whether
this will be enough to meet the carbon-neutral ambitions is yet to be
seen.
The
Business Of Change
Laudable
as these changes are, some have voiced understandable reservations.
The ULEZ is already causing headaches for the delivery sector. This
is especially concerning given that research shows that nearly 50% of
the UK’s vehicles, including commercial fleets, are not CAZ compliant. Then there is the potential impact on London businesses
based on roads targeted exclusively for electric vehicle use.
It’s a complicated picture that will need more input than just a city’s
administrators. Government support for a UK-wide network of charging
points are essential and much greater support for the delivery sector
to install charging equipment in their depots. As FTA Policy Manager,
Denise Beedell commented:
‘If the
City appropriately supports hauliers and couriers as part of the plan
to change the roads, more drivers will at least consider the option
of electric vehicles.’
Incremental
Steps
The
Truckcraft team fully support any moves to help reduce the impact of
vehicles on Londoners. In the long term, increased use of electric
vehicles will help to assume delivery sector support is also on
offer. In the interim, the delivery sector can still contribute to
the eco agenda by adopting hybrid technology like our TRAILAR enabled vans and trucks. These unique vehicles represent a sensible middle
way offering a versatile product that provides excellent
eco-benefits.
We can’t
avoid it. Change is coming, and the Truckcraft team are playing our
part to help meet the essential environmental goals the UK is
committed to delivering.
For more information on our clean-air-zone-friendly delivery trucks and vans, please contact the Truckcraft Bodies sales team on 0161 304 9404. Alternatively, email glen.pinder@truckcraftbodies.co.uk or emma.jane@truckcraftbodies.co.uk.
Published: Jul 24