BEDEO has issued an open letter to the UK Government, warning that large vans could fall significantly short of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate without immediate policy changes. The company says that battery-electric vans in the 3.5 to 4.25 tonne category hold just 0.5% of the market, while BEVs over 3.5 tonnes are at 5.3% – both lower than 2023 levels.
Osman Boyner, founder and CEO of BEDEO, said the industry is ready to move but needs practical support. “Electric vans just don’t have the same payload as diesel – it’s not even close. Fleet managers tell us they’re ready to convert 60 to 70% of diesel vans – but not until cost and performance improve. Today, they’re ready for Range Extender and retrofit – but they need Government support.”
BEDEO’s RE-100 Range Extender system delivers more than 100 kilometres of fully electric range per charge, while retaining the diesel engine and the base vehicle’s performance. This allows operators to cut emissions without scrapping their vehicles. However, current licence weight limits and grant frameworks do not formally support retrofit or hybridised solutions. BEDEO says this is holding back adoption.
In its open letter, BEDEO is calling for the inclusion of Range Extender technologies in Alternative Fuelled Vehicle grant schemes. It also wants an adjustment to the B licence 4.25 tonne weight limit, which currently applies only to fully electric and hydrogen vehicles, to include hybridised retrofit systems. The company is also calling for formal recognition of retrofit solutions in Government decarbonisation strategies.
The company has written to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, and other MPs and policymakers including Heidi Alexander and Ed Miliband. It is seeking urgent clarification as to why similar technology is approved for London black cabs but not currently accepted in goods vehicle applications.
BEDEO reports that it has already received a letter of intent from fleet operators to purchase 500 retrofitted vehicles. The company says this demonstrates confidence in the solution’s commercial and environmental viability.
Boyner added: “The logistics industry is the backbone of the UK economy. According to McKinsey & Company, LCVs are the single largest contributor to logistics-related emissions, responsible for 40%. If the UK wants to lead on decarbonisation, we need pragmatic and scalable solutions now – and retrofit is one of the most impactful tools we have to reduce emissions without delay or disruption.”
BEDEO says it stands ready to work with Government, fleet operators and industry leaders to integrate retrofit into official net-zero pathways. It warns that without such support, the UK will struggle to meet its 2030 and 2035 zero-emission targets for commercial vans.
