BVRLA Chief Executive Toby Poston comments; The transition away from ICE vehicles presents a generational challenge. The journey is long, winding and completed at a differing pace with varied amounts of resistance. Last week’s announcement from Government released the safety valve on the targets of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, making them more symbolic and less painful for the manufacturers bound by them.
The transition away from ICE vehicles presents a generational challenge. The journey is long, winding and completed at a differing pace with varied amounts of resistance. Last week’s announcement from Government released the safety valve on the targets of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, making them more symbolic and less painful for the manufacturers bound by them.
It is far from the only valve that needs attention. While the mandate focusses on the supply of new vehicles hitting UK roads, we need more consideration on how they get there, where they go, and what happens to them after first registration.
Ian Hughes of Zenith Vehicles, Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, and Toby Poston at the National Rail Museum York
Last week I met with the Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, to represent member views and share some of our solutions. The meeting came as part of a Government reception at the National Rail Museum York, which also saw Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander provide an update on the Government’s Transport targets.
It was great to speak to Lilian Greenwood about the decarbonisation challenges facing our sector. I reinforced the need for the used electric vehicle market to receive some much-needed support, as well as how transport decarbonisation policies can be utilised to allow the rental sector and van operators to accelerate their progress.
It was a positive exchange and we look forward to following up with the minister further next month via some more formal meetings.
The reception also presented a fantastic opportunity to catch up with colleagues from the wider transport sector. The road to zero is only a success when everybody is able to complete their journey. Working in collaboration with other associations, industry stakeholders, and complementary sectors is the only way we’ll see the progress required.
The BVRLA remains your voice of the industry, with our recent engagements continuing to expand beyond the Department for Transport, HM Treasury and national press too. Our message is being heard and we continue to push it forward to drive positive changes that benefit members.
