As UK parliament returns this week, the commercial vehicle and bus manufacturing sectors will be looking, in particular, for clear and coordinated decisions that help turn the transition to zero emission transport into an industrial opportunity. Manufacturers are investing in new products, skills and facilities, but those commitments depend on a stable policy framework, stronger market demand and infrastructure that keeps pace.
While the recently announced review of the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate came as welcome news for the sector, it must deliver a prompt and realistic outcome that gives van makers certainty to plan for transformational years ahead. Industry remains ambitious but a mandated trajectory must be aligned with real-world demand and market enablers. Alongside regulation, government must accelerate depot and public charging, reduce connection delays and sustain incentives that help fleets manage the higher upfront cost of zero emission vans.
Industry also needs a timely and proportionate response to the HGV CO2 regulatory framework consultation. The proposed framework is intended to support the phase-out of new non-zero emission HGVs up to 26 tonnes by 2035 and all new non-zero emission HGVs by 2040. The response should recognise the diversity of HGV operations, provide credible lead times and link targets to enabling conditions, including high-power charging, grid capacity, hydrogen availability where appropriate and operator access to finance. A framework designed with manufacturers and fleets can create certainty without constraining essential freight activity.
Meanwhile, decarbonising buses has been a success story in the UK to date but momentum must be maintained. Government has committed to action that would, from 2030 at the earliest, prevent newly registered non-zero emission buses from being used on local services in England and Scotland. The next stages of consultation and implementation must be timely to give manufacturers, operators and local authorities certainty. Delays and a lack of clarity will hamper procurement cycles and manufacturers’ investment as we approach the next decade.
These priorities are all connected: regulation can set direction but successful delivery requires investment, demand and infrastructure moving together. Parliament’s return provides a fresh opportunity for close partnership between government and industry, to replace unworkable regulation and uncertainty of the past with a practical, enduring route for businesses – assuring decarbonisation and economic growth which Britain needs.
