Zero emission HGV sales up 59%
Zero emission HGV sales have risen by 59% in the first half of the year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Growth has been boosted by an increase in registrations of 32.3% in the second quarter.
However, this increase is from a very low base with just 183 units zero emission HGVs registered across the first six months, accounting for a market share of 0.9%.
This means that while the direction of travel is positive, speed of transition will have dramatically accelerate to meet government targets of all new HGVs weighing up to 26 tonnes being zero emission by 2035.
To date there are 35 models available in the UK market, but the SMMT says it is up front costs, particularly the investment capital required to install depot infrastructure for charge points, slowing the uptake of zero emission HGVs rather than variety.
The government launched a £30m depot charging fund in July, which is expected to support the installation of more than 3,000 van and 200 HGV charge points while also supporting fleets with up to 75% of the cost of installing charging infrastructure.
However, delays in planning processes could result in grid connection waits of up to 15 years.
