The time for action is now
During Transport Day at COP26 in Glasgow, pledges were made by country leaders, fleets, investors and manufacturers for all new car and van sales to be zero emission by 2035 in leading markets, and 2040 globally.
Of course, the UK government has already committed to phasing out petrol and diesel cars by 2030, and used the climate conference to confirm its plans for all new heavy goods vehicles to be zero-emission by 2040. It will do this be phasing out new, non-zero emission heavy goods vehicles weighing 26 tonnes and under by 2035, with all new HGVs sold in the UK to be zero emission by 2040.
To make this viable, there are now calls to greatly speed up the establishment of a recharging network, as well as affordable, fit for purpose vehicles. There is disappointment, however, that other low carbon fuelled vehicles will not be available for sale post 2040. Those in the industry argue that these fuels can act as effective, interim solutions while the technology for zero emission HGVs matures. Jon Hughes from the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association picks up the argument on page 68. Meanwhile, on page 16, Dominic Phinn from the EV100 initiative reflects on the pledges made at the climate conference and how they reinforce the work already underway by EV100 members.
This issue of GreenFleet also has a Best Practice Guide, with advice for businesses wanting to transition to a zero emission vehicle fleet, as well as a look at who is on the shortlist for the 2021 GreenFleet Awards, which take place on 1 December. It’s great to see so many organisations, fleet suppliers and manufacturers making great strides in their work to decarbonise. Best of luck to those shortlisted.
Angela Pisanu, editor
