The proportion of electric vans (EVs) used by the construction industry has barely increased in the past year, despite being a priority for the Construction Leadership Council (CLC).
The organisation revealed in a new report that take-up of EVs in construction has flatlined year-on-year, forming 5.2 per cent of the market share of vans in the year to date, compared to 5.1 per cent last year.
The CLC’s CO2nstruct Zero Sprint Project initiative aims to change this situation, given that transport is the UK’s largest emitting domestic sector, with 91 per cent of UK transport CO2 emissions coming from road transport.
The government is targeting 70 per cent of new van sales to be fully electric by 2030 and construction is the second largest sector buying vans, the report says.
Matt Palmer, industry sponsor for net zero at the CLC and executive director of the Lower Thames Crossing, said: “The UK relies on the infrastructure our industry builds, but we have to do so in a way that is compatible with a net-zero future, and that includes the vehicles we use – on site, and for our workforce travelling to, from and between sites.”
The report recommends improving public charging networks and enabling installation of meters dedicated to monitoring EV charging in employees’ homes.
It also suggests charging facilities built for use on construction sites could be left behind as permanent fixtures after jobs are complete.
The report also calls for capital offset for firms investing in or leasing EVs, and reduced MOT costs and timings.
Palmer added: “While uptake of electric vehicles in the construction industry has been slow to date, I’m optimistic that our report sets out clear actions and suggested policy changes that would make electric vehicle ownership or lease a more attractive option for our whole industry.”
Other recommendations include changes to law regarding the classification of some EVs as HGVs.
An EV weighing between 3.5t-4.25t is classed as an HGV in certain areas of legislation, such as MOT testing, and requires a tachograph to be installed and a speed restriction of 56mph. The report calls for the removal of these requirements in order to boost EV uptake.
The Autumn Budget included a commitment from the Department for Transport to invest £200m during 2025/26 in electric vehicle charging infrastructure and more grants to help van drivers switch to electric versions.
