A study conducted by Vauxhall revealed that by transitioning the UK's van fleet to fully electric vehicles, approximately 20 million tonnes of CO2 emissions could be eliminated each year. This research comes as the UK Government initiates a consultation with a view to establishing annual zero-emissions vehicle sales quotas for manufacturers, including financial penalties for non-compliance.
Using official government and Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) figures, Vauxhall calculated how much CO2 could be saved every year if the country’s van fleet was converted to electric light commercial vehicles (eLCVs). Vauxhall calculated that vans make up 18.2% of the UK’s annual transport-related CO2 emissions and 4.6% of the country’s total annual carbon emissions, so a move to vehicles that produce zero tailpipe emissions would have a significant impact.
According to the Department for Transport, there are 4.77 million petrol or diesel vans on the roads, which cover an average of 13,000 miles a year, meaning van drivers account for more than 62 billion miles driven annually. Vauxhall calculated that emissions exceed 19.5 million tonnes of CO2, using the SMMT’s average new van emissions estimate of 195.7g/km CO2 as fleet average emissions.
More than 16,000 electric vans were delivered to businesses across the country last year, a rise of 31.2% over the previous year. Despite this increase, however, eLCVs accounted for just 5.9% of total van registrations in 2022, well behind the 16.6% market share for electric cars seen in 2022 and below the 10% proposed mandate for 2024 for eLCV sales. Vauxhall’s Vivaro Electric led the way as the best-selling eLCV model in the country for the second year running.
As well as being free from tailpipe emissions, electric vans offer businesses several other benefits, including exemption from current congestion and emissions zone charges.
Vauxhall has set the goal of becoming an electric-only brand by 2028 – a full seven years ahead of the UK Government deadline. The brand’s Ellesmere Port manufacturing site is undergoing a £100m renovation to become the first Stellantis plant to produce solely battery-electric models.
James Taylor, Managing Director, Vauxhall:
“Vauxhall is fully committed to electrification and remains one of few manufacturers in the UK already able to offer fleets a zero-emissions-in-use vehicle across its entire LCV range. Our research highlights the importance in electrifying the country’s businesses to help meet the UK’s Net Zero targets, and comes at a time when the UK is considering imposing further measures to increase electric vehicle uptake.”
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