In the area of electric vehicle (EV) incentives in the UK, the lack of support measures in the recent Spring Budget has raised concerns within the industry. One notable absence is the lack of incentives for electric trucks, an omission that has drawn criticism from car manufacturers and industry leaders alike.
Stuart Cottrell, Head of Energy Services and Government Partnerships at Tevva, highlights the urgent need for government intervention in five key areas to drive the electric truck market forward.
Firstly, Cottrell highlights the need for a more substantial plug-in truck grant, pointing out that the current fixed grant structure is not enough to incentivize operators due to the significant price gap between electric and conventional trucks. He suggests adopting models from other countries where grants are calculated based on a percentage of the price difference.
Another crucial aspect is the extension of initiatives such as the Zero Emission Road Freight (ZERFT) project to a wider range of vehicles, including smaller trucks. While supporting larger trucks is commendable, Cottrell argues that neglecting smaller trucks could hinder overall progress.
To address the financial challenges faced by EV startups, Cottrell proposes government-backed working capital loans to alleviate cash flow constraints and accelerate business growth.
In addition, Cottrell advocates extending grandfather rights to accommodate the increased weight of alternatively fueled trucks. Failure to do so could hinder the adoption of zero-emission trucks by requiring companies to hire drivers with specific licenses.
Finally, Cottrell stresses the importance of developing an adequate charging infrastructure to support the widespread adoption of electric trucks. He criticizes the government's slow progress in this area and calls for urgent action to establish a reliable charging network.
In summary, Cottrell warns that the government's reluctance to support the transition to electric trucks is not only a missed opportunity, but also a neglect of its duty to address climate change. Urgent and comprehensive action is needed to drive the electric truck industry forward and secure the UK's position as a leader in this market.
