The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has launched an ambitious ‘Plug-in Pledge’ to get hundreds of thousands of plug-in vehicles registered by 2025.
The association says its members will be buying 300,000 plug-in vehicles a year within the next six years, which will see their total fleet size of zero-emission capable cars and vans surge from the current level of 50,000 to 720,000.
BVRLA members and their customers will in future account for 60% of new plug-in hybrid and pure electric vehicle registrations, association executives say.
The announcement comes after the UK government outlined its commitment to increase the number of electric and hybrid vehicles being driven in the UK through its ‘Road to Zero’ strategy.
Ministers want 50-70% of new car sales to be ultra-low emission by 2030.
The BVRLA said its ‘Plug-in Pledge’ demonstrates the vehicle rental and leasing industry’s commitment to playing a vital role in delivering this goal.
Its members are responsible for almost five million vehicles - one-in-eight cars, one-in-five vans and one-in-five trucks on UK roads.
Due to the number of vehicles they purchase and the frequency of fleet replacement cycles, rental and leasing companies will be a key driver on the journey to zero emissions.
However, the association warned that the pledge will rely on the government providing vital support for the adoption of these vehicles.
A recent YouGov poll showed 42% of senior decision-makers in small to medium-sized businesses that use vehicles would be likely to increase the number of electric vehicles they use if national and local government were to offer greater levels of support.
The BVRLA is calling on the government to bring forward tax incentives for plug-in company cars, provide a five-year commitment to any incentives offered and increase the recharging infrastructure.
BVRLA chief executive Gerry Keaney said: “Over the last two decades, the fleet industry has embraced the introduction of emissions-based motoring taxes and used the incentives they provide to deliver a sustained and substantial reduction in CO2 emissions.
“Fleets are ready to make a large-scale transition to zero-emission motoring, providing that the Government can match their ambition with a supportive tax regime and more help with charging infrastructure.”
The BVRLA’s ‘Plug-in Pledge’ will be launched tonight at a Parliamentary reception in the House of Commons to an audience of BVRLA members, vehicle manufacturers, sustainable transport stakeholders, Government officials and supportive MPs.
Ahead of the launch, UK transport minister Jesse Norman said: “The coming decades are expected to be transformative for our motor industry, our national infrastructure and the way we travel.
“The Government has shown through the Road to Zero Strategy that setting clear ambitions for industry and consumers is key to bringing about this change.
“We want to work in partnership with industry and businesses to make these shared ambitions a reality, so we welcome the commitment made by BVRLA.”
He added that the UK government is to hold the world’s first zero emission vehicle summit later this year in Birmingham as part of its support for the sector.The BVRLA’s 900 members operate a combined fleet of almost 5 million cars, vans and trucks and buy nearly half of all new vehicles sold in the UK each year.
