While it’s anything but business as usual for anyone at present, our annual International Automotive Summit, held virtually for the first time on 23 June, looked ahead to some very familiar challenges. A comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU remains critical — and with a third of automotive workers on furlough as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, government support is needed to accelerate a restart for a recovery and deliver on green goals.
With that in mind, debate on what future fuels for commercial vehicles formed a crucial part of the panel session on ULEV adoption. Biofuels appear to be the most viable technology for the present but only make up a small number of registrations. So there’s some way to go just yet – and that’s before we consider other fuel sources on their way into the market.
What is clear, however, is that incentives will be required to increase adoption of alternatively-fuelled CVs if government targets are to be hit. Total lifecycle costs for vehicles are critical in our sector. Operators will need support to make the switch and help us transition to a zero emission economy.
