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Fleet industry news round up

31st January 2025

A quick roundup of the key stories from our industry this past week

RAC Study Reveals Excessive Speeding

A new study by the RAC has found that 81% of drivers regularly witness excessive speeding on all types of roads.

Speeding on motorways and local roads

The 2024 Report on Motoring revealed that 82% of drivers notice speeding on motorways, while 80% report frequent speeding on 30mph or 20mph roads.

Impact on road safety 

Government statistics for 2023 show that exceeding the speed limit contributed to 304 (21%) fatal collisions.

What happens if you get caught?

Find out what drivers can expect if caught breaking the speed limit in our guide.

You can read more on the RAC report here: RAC Study on Excessive Speeding (Opens in new window)

 

Consultation on changing rules for electric vans

 

There’s hope that a government consultation on electric van regulations could encourage wider adoption by fleets.

Running until March 3, 2025, the consultation focuses on regulations for zero-emission goods vehicles (ZEGVs). It covers annual vehicle testing, drivers' hours, tachographs, and speed limiter devices. A ZEGV refers to a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) that’s a category N vehicle—at least 4 wheels, used for carrying goods.

The goal is for drivers to operate ZEGVs as easily as their petrol or diesel counterparts, without compromising road safety. ZEVs are typically heavier than petrol and diesel vehicles due to their powertrain and batteries. Despite the extra weight, they are functionally and visually similar to conventional vans.

The consultation aims to align regulations for 4.25-tonne electric vans with those for 3.5-tonne diesel vans.

Jonathan Walker, Head of Infrastructure and Planning Policy at Logistics UK, told Fleet News:

“These vehicles are the same size and used for the same tasks as traditional vans—the only difference is the battery weight, which puts them in a heavier category. Aligning regulations will make it easier to integrate electric vehicles into fleets.”

New panel to oversee parking code

The parking industry has established a new panel to oversee its code of practice following a high-profile court case involving a motorist.

A high-profile case sparks change 

In 2024, Rosey Hudson was taken to court by Excel Parking after accumulating £1,906 in fines for taking more than five minutes to pay for parking. She received 10 Parking Charge Notices (PCNs) after leaving her car to find phone reception to use an app to pay.

Introducing the Private Parking Scrutiny and Advice Panel (PPSAP) 

The newly formed PPSAP will provide impartial oversight to ensure the code of practice raises standards for consumers.

First major change: The ‘Five-Minute Payment Rule’ 

The panel's first action, effective by February, will be a revision to the code protecting genuine motorists who struggle to make prompt payments. This revision stems from the recent case and aims to introduce a ‘five-minute payment rule.’

Panel members will be confirmed by January 31.

DfT new research

The Department for Transport (DfT) has published new research exploring how users of self-driving vehicles respond when asked to resume manual driving, raising concerns about the adequacy of the current 10-second takeover period.

As part of the government’s push to introduce self-driving vehicles on UK roads by 2026 under the Automated Vehicles (AV) Act, the research aims to inform policy on connected and automated vehicles. The study looked at driver behavior when transitioning from self-driving mode to manual control.

Findings revealed that users engaged with mobile phones had lower disengagement rates, often continuing their activity even when required to take control.

Although these users responded more quickly, the research pointed out that this didn’t guarantee a safe transition, as participants may not have fully understood the driving actions required.

The DfT noted that the variability in results raises concerns about the effectiveness of the current 10-second takeover period. Under current regulations, if a driver doesn’t respond within 10 seconds of an automated system alert, the vehicle must slow down, activate hazard lights, and eventually stop.

You can read more about the research here: DfT Research on Self-Driving Vehicle Takeover (Opens in new window)

 

Govt calls on industry to shape UK’s EV transition

The UK government is calling on the automotive and charging industries to help shape the nation’s transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). Launched in December 2024, the consultation seeks industry input to support the manifesto commitment to phase out the sale of new cars powered by internal combustion engines (ICE) by 2030.

Two-part consultation to drive change

The consultation is split into two key parts:

Part 1: Phase out of new ICE cars by 2030 and CO2 requirements for vans

Part 2: Updates to Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes (VETS)

The 2030 phase-out date has been widely supported, despite the previous UK government’s extension of the deadline to 2035. Currently, over two-thirds of car manufacturers in the UK, including major players like Nissan and Stellantis, have committed to fully transitioning to electric vehicles by 2030.

  • Economic benefits and industry growth

    The UK’s automotive sector, already employing over 152,000 people, is a major contributor to the economy, adding £19 billion annually. With electric vehicles (EVs) becoming cheaper to own and operate, the transition promises significant economic growth.

    EVs can cost as little as 2p per mile to run, and research suggests that homeowners charging their EVs can save up to £750 annually compared to petrol and diesel cars.

    Moreover, upfront costs are decreasing, with one in three used electric cars now available for under £20,000.

  • Seizing a multi-billion pound opportunity

    By supporting the growth of the electric vehicle market, the UK can tap into a multibillion-pound industry, create high-paying jobs, and improve living standards.

    This transition also supports the government's broader plan to put more money in the pockets of working families.

  • A major opportunity for growth

    Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander emphasised the potential of the electric vehicle transition, stating:

    “Employing 152,000 people and contributing £19 billion to our economy, the UK’s automotive industry is a huge asset to our nation. The transition to electric vehicles is an unprecedented opportunity to attract investment, drive innovation, and ensure sustainable growth for generations to come."

  • Mandate and emission trading schemes

    Following the introduction of the ZEV Mandate, 80% of all new cars and 70% of new vans are required to be zero-emission by 2030.

    This consultation not only addresses the phase-out of petrol and diesel cars but also aims to ensure the effectiveness of the Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes Order 2023 (VETS), which supports the ZEV Mandate.