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Is the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans too soon?
29 December 2020
Fleet News has conducted a survey which revealed that almost two-thirds of fleets believe implementing a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 is too soon.
Ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars
The survey of more than 600 fleet decision-makers, which ran from November 24 to December 2 2020, found that:
- Just 29% agreed with the implementation date for cars
- 21% would have preferred that the ban be introduced from 2035
- 22% believed that the start date should be 2040, as originally suggested by the UK government
- 11% believed it should be from 2045.
Interestingly, 6% of respondents called for the implementation to be brought forward to 2025.
Ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vans
Even more decision-makers for van fleets appeared dissatisfied with the date. Overall, 74% felt that the ban on ICE vans was set to come into effect too soon. Key statistics included:
- 24% believed the ban should start from 2035
- 25% thought it should be 2040.
Again, only a small percentage (5%) felt that the implementation date should be brought forward to 2025.
The UK Electric Fleets Coalition, run by The Climate Group in partnership with BT Group, welcomed the UK government’s decision to set a 2030 target for 100% electric vehicle (EV) sales.
The coalition includes five of the biggest business fleets in the UK: Royal Mail, BT Group, Centrica, SSE and DPD and collectively runs half a million vehicles on UK roads.
Helen Clarkson, CEO of The Climate Group said, “This is what UK businesses are committed to and calling for through the UK Electric Fleets Coalition.”
Hybrid Vehicles
The government will introduce a ban on the sale of new hybrid vehicles in 2035, five years after the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans. 80% of fleets agreed with this decision, whilst the remaining 20% would have preferred that the deadlines both come into effect together from 2030.
Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
Nearly half (47%) of respondents to the survey said that they already operate electric cars of vans within their fleets. It appears that the biggest challenge facing fleets in terms of total electrification (according to 40% of respondents) is the lack of charging infrastructure – with 40% of respondents admitting that it was a concern and six in ten respondents agreeing that the government should invest in charging infrastructure.
The National Infrastructure Strategy published by the Treasury on November 25 expects to see a high-powered charging hub at every motorway service area - installed by the private sector – by 2023.
The Treasury has pledged to invest £950 million to future-proof grid capacity along motorways and will also extend support for charge point installation at homes, workplaces and on-street locations. This is on top of £90m to fund local EV charging infrastructure.
Gridserve recently opened the first of one hundred electric forecourts in Braintree – part of a £1 billion programme that will span over the next five years. EV drivers will pay 24p per kWh of energy (including VAT). This equates to less than £10 for a charge from 20% to 80%.
Almost one-in-six said that grants for plug-in vehicles and tax breaks for both employers and employees were a priority for incentivising fleets.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed in the Spending Review that the government will continue its plug-in grants until 2022-23 and boost funding by over £200m, to £582m in total.
We at Marshall Leasing know that those responsible for fleets may be facing confusion or concern about the 2030 deadline and what it means for them. Our fleet experts would be delighted to answer any questions you might have, so please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at info@marshall-leasing.co.uk or by calling 01480 414541.
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