Logistics UK has written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ahead of his speech today (04 October) at the Conservative Conference, calling for government to meet its net zero agenda and invest in decarbonising the logistics sector.
In the letter, chief executive David Wells expresses the industry’s disappointment at the extended deadline for the end of the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans, and highlights the “vital” role government plays in not only shaping the public conversation, but also in the delivery.
The letter also identifies the specific government policies that the industry is urging Sunak to deliver on.
Wells states: “Industry requires urgent progress on the roll out of public chargepoints that are suitable for commercial vehicles, as well as the publication of government’s long-delayed low carbon fuels strategy which is now over nine months late.
“If the logistics industry is expected to move to net zero technologies within the timeframes set, government must also deliver on its deadlines. Urgent progress of the Zero Emission Road Freight Demonstrator for battery, hydrogen and catenary solutions for HGV decarbonisation is also needed. Without clarity, the logistics sector cannot invest at scale.
“Logistics is a highly interconnected system and electrification of the rail network must not be overlooked, nor should the delivery of the promised clean maritime plan.
Pointing to the findings of a recent Oxford Economics report, Wells said logistics is key to the UK’s economic growth.
He added: “Net zero is just one of many areas where the logistics industry wants to work in closer collaboration with government as, by putting logistics first, with the right partnerships, regulations and investment, government can supercharge UK GDP by £3.9 billion to £7.9bn per year by 2030.”
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