Ahead of the Budget announcement tomorrow, I wrote to the Chancellor on behalf of our Road Haulage.
The Road Haulage Association have set out their key asks and assurances:
- A continued freeze on fuel duty.
- Vehicle Excise Duty for HGVs.
- The suspension of the HGV Levy.
With regards to Road Haulage, I am also interested in the Zero Emission Van plan.
Vans are the workhorses carrying much of the UK economy. 3.4 million people - that’s 1-in-10 workers - rely on one to do their job. Across every industry, from engineering and construction to logistics and emergency services, they are an essential form of transport and a mobile workspace. New vans are hitting UK roads at a greater rate than any other vehicle. They account for a huge portion of the miles driven up and down the country. Zero-emission vans are a vital ingredient in any transport decarbonisation strategy, but their popularity is stagnating as cost pressures and performance issues stifle demand.
The “Zero Emission Van Plan” campaign has three key asks:
- Increase fiscal support to make new and used electric vans affordable, especially for small operators and the self employed
- Improve charging. Chargepoints need to be accessible, affordable and fit-for-purpose
- Remove regulatory barriers. The current framework for vehicle testing and driver regulations is outdated and at odds with a zero-emission future
I'm hoping that the budget tomorrow includes the needs of our drivers. I am on the side of our motorists, despite the fact the Labour Mayor isn't.
