UK Government plans to award £500 million in funding for low-emission HGVs

“Investing in alternative fuels and low carbon technologies is extremely costly, so FTA welcomes Government’s commitment of additional funding to help encourage the take up of ultra-low emission vehicles. However, too often previous funding has been devoted to cars and vans. Freight provides a vital role in delivering the goods for the economy but it is a significant challenge to reduce carbon emissions. The sector needs support particularly with the provision of infrastructure for dual fuel Low Carbon Commercial and natural gas refueling infrastructure in order to contribute to national carbon reduction targets,” said Rachael Dillon, FTA Climate Change Policy Manager.

To date, much of Government’s existing funding has been reserved for electric technology, which has limited application for HGVs. Instead, alternatives such as gas and ultimately biomethane are a key option to reduce emissions from this sector. It is worth recalling that £11 million of Government funding was allocated to a Low Carbon Commercial Vehicle Trial in 2012.

The Office for Low Emission Vehicles which is responsible for the provision of ultra-low emission vehicle funding is expected to publish a strategy later this year on how the funding will be delivered. FTA would like to see the inclusion of more funding options for HGVs within the strategy to ensure that freight can contribute to carbon reduction.

Source: Freight Transport Association (FTA).