· BEDEO urges the new Labour government to prioritise stronger incentives for electric light commercial vehicles (eLCVs) in the upcoming UK Budget
· This is a critical moment for the UK government to act, warns BEDEO, as the van industry is currently falling short of meeting the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which requires at least 10 per cent of new vans to be zero-emission IN 2024
· Just 5.1 per cent (10,260) of all new LCVs (<3.5t and Rigids between 3.5 – 4.25t) registered this year are battery electric, versus 5.6 per cent in 2023*, a way off the ZEV mandate, which will only get stricter by 2030
· Low eLCV registrations come at a time when diesel LCVs are proven to contribute 40 per cent of the logistic sector’s pollution, according to a recent report from McKinsey & Company**
· While the market for new eLCVs is low, there’s a growing opportunity to retrofit diesel vans with electric drivetrains, proven to be a cheaper and more environmentally stable solution
· BEDEO calls for more financial incentives, including grants and tax breaks, and streamlined retrofitting regulations in the upcoming Budget, to support industry growth
· France’s successful retrofit incentives show how the UK can accelerate fleet electrification and emissions cuts. BEDEO recently announced a partnership with Automobiles DANGEL to manufacture and distribute BEDEO’s proprietary Reborn Electric retrofit solution in France
Farnham, 23 October 2024:
BEDEO, a leader in fleet electrification and retrofit technology, is urging the new Labour government to increase support for the UK van fleet industry in the upcoming 30 October Budget. With just over two months remaining before year-end, the sector faces growing challenges in meeting the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate for electric van sales, a key issue as LCVs are now the largest polluters in the logistics industry, according to a recent McKinsey & Company report**.
Osman Boyner, Founder and CEO of BEDEO, said: “Back in March [2024], the outgoing Conservative government failed to recognise or support the van fleet industry in its Budget. Now the current Labour government must act. We are currently 50 per cent off the target for the ZEV mandate for new electric light commercial vehicles (eLCVs) in 2024. Market share is down to 5.1 per cent from 5.6 per cent in 2023* – it needs to be 10 per cent. Retrofitting diesel vans with electric drivetrains can help, but as a tool to electrify, retrofitting needs recognition and support. Electric retrofitting for vans is a crucial solution for businesses, especially as they [businesses and fleet managers] grapple with costs and operational concerns when transitioning to brand-new electric vans – it just makes sense to retrofit what’s already there to run on electric power.”
BEDEO is urging the Government to expand support for retrofitting, which remains an unregulated and unsupported method despite being one of the most cost-effective and least disruptive options for fleet operators and SMEs. BEDEO’s proprietary Reborn Electric solutions can unlock many benefits for fleet owners including lowering total cost of ownership, a reduction in tailpipe emissions,
lowering carbon emissions at a vehicle manufacturing level, plus the ability to retain the original vehicle’s fit out.
Available in pure electric form, the BE models can either be fitted with a 37 kWh, 75 kWh or 110 kWh battery, which provides drivers with 117 km, 248 km or 364 km WLTP range respectively. Whereas the range extender RE-100 retains the original diesel engine and adds a 37 kWh battery to provide 117 km of electric range and 600 km through its range extender. The RE-100 provides the ability for fleets to travel in towns and cities on electric-only mode and utilise the original (often Euro 6 standard) diesel engine to drive to and from the out-of-town depots.
Osman Boyner, Founder and CEO of BEDEO, continued: “The upcoming Budget presents a real opportunity for the new Labour government to introduce comprehensive incentives for retrofitting, following the lead of France, where financial backing has rapidly decarbonised van fleets. With the right support, the UK could do the same. This is the quickest and most affordable way for businesses to meet net-zero targets. If we don’t invest in electric retrofit for vans now, I believe the UK will miss a critical opportunity to significantly reduce emissions while promoting a circular economy.”
France’s fleet decarbonisation efforts, which offer subsidies of up to €8,000 per retrofitted vehicle, serve as a blueprint for the UK to follow. BEDEO is urging the UK government to introduce similar financial incentives and streamlined regulations to drive the electrification of van fleets, ensuring the UK keeps pace with its European neighbours and accelerates its progress towards net-zero goals.
A study by ADEME, France’s Environment and Energy Management Agency, found that retrofitting can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 87 per cent***. With over four million vans on UK roads, many of which will remain operational into the 2040s, the potential environmental impact is significant. BEDEO’s Reborn Electric range offers a solution for fleet operators, providing zero-emission alternatives without the high costs of replacing entire fleets.
BEDEO’s recent whitepaper**** highlights key barriers, including cost and limited availability, preventing fleet operators from fully embracing electrification. BEDEO believes the upcoming Budget is a critical moment for the UK government to address these challenges through targeted policies. It urges government officials and policymakers to read the whitepaper to understand the power and efficiencies of electric retrofit, not just to boost eLCV numbers, but also to increase UK jobs and reposition the UK as a leader in van fleet electrification.
To access the full whitepaper and learn more about the imperative for investment in retrofitting solutions, visit bedeo.tech/whitepaper-accelerating-the-transition-supporting-our-businesses.
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* LCVs Registrations SMMT News
** Decarbonizing logistics: Charting the path ahead
*** Etude Retrofit
“Retrofit is going to be important in our [the UK’s] quest for not only a circular economy, but also to adopt electrification, and I’m surprised they [the UK government] aren’t doing more to support it – when you look at how popular Vinted and eBay are for fashion – why can’t we do that with cars and vans? Why do we have to just buy new?”
About BEDEO
BEDEO (formerly BD Auto) has established itself, and its group companies, as one of the most trailblazing, transformative and trusted vehicle electrification technology providers globally.
Founded in 2009 by Osman Boyner, the company is headquartered in Farnham, UK, with manufacturing in Turkey and China. BEDEO’s vision is to decarbonise the LCV industry utilising its proprietary, in-house manufactured electrification solutions, including but not limited to: its in-wheel motor (IWM) technology, inverter, battery pack and cabling.
Today, BEDEO Group, which consists of BEDEO and Protean Electric, collectively hold over 300 patents and OEM production credentials in safety, production and homologation. Focusing on the next generation of decarbonisation solutions, BEDEO Group continues to develop technology IP to lead the path for a cleaner, more connected future.
Approved by leading OEM group Stellantis, BEDEO can fit Reborn Electric solutions to a wide range of large commercial vans including the Citroën Jumper, Fiat Ducato, the Peugeot Boxer and Vauxhall / Opel Movano (brand depending on market), with the intention to be a solution provider for all large vans.
BEDEO’s transformative approach and unmatched time-to-market speed have also made it the partner of choice for over forty blue-chip customers in logistics, e-commerce, online grocery and food retail, and urban waste management including Aras-Kargo, DHL, DPD, Migros, Ocado and TNT / FedEx among others.
With a focus on making a radical impact on decarbonisation in city centres and accelerating the overall transition to fleet electrification, BEDEO recently introduced an innovative and advanced retrofit solution (named Reborn Electric), converting existing diesel vans into electric or range extended using IWM technology, solving range anxiety issues and low-emission concerns in one solution.
With a commitment to sustainable mobility, BEDEO is actively expanding into the marine and aviation markets.
For more information, visit bedeo.tech.
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