Bath and North-East Somerset Council Euro VI diesel HGV proposals

RHA condemns Bath and North-East Somerset Council Euro VI diesel HGV proposals

“Why the condemnation?” asks RHA MD Richard Smith. “Our position is that the proposal is unworkable because the HGV vehicle market simply cannot accommodate the idea at this time.

“Of course, we are keen that low and zero emission HGVs are introduced as soon as possible but we – the RHA and Bath and North-East Somerset Council – must be realistic.

“The take-up of low and zero emission HGVs is slow for two reasons – a lack of vehicle availability and, critically, lack of fuelling infrastructure to power these vehicles.

“We refer the Council to latest data provided by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association which shows that, in 2020, 98.6% of the UK HGV fleet were diesel, with just 0.1% of the fleet being low or zero emission.

“The take-up of low and zero emission HGVs is slow for two reasons – a lack of vehicle availability and, critically, lack of fuelling infrastructure to power these vehicles.”

We are alarmed that the message will distort the vehicle market by stimulating demand for the required vehicles despite the lack of available vehicles. That will cause price inflation which is anti-small business.

Secondly, the proposed exemptions for operators either delivering into Bath or based within a certain radius from the city are meaningless if the supply of the required vehicles is unavailable.

We welcome the opportunity of working with the Council and the wider logistics sector to reduce emissions in a sensible, cost-effective manner, but it is vital that this is done on a timescale which is sustainable while supporting small businesses.

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Click here for the RHA summary document.