The Government has revealed plans to revolutionise city centre transport, with the aim of eliminating vans from these areas.
The Future of Mobility Grand Challenge, revealed today by transport minister Jesse Norman, aims for deliveries to be carried out by electrically powered e-vans, micro vehicles and e-cargo bikes, replacing light commercial vehicles in urban environments.
This involves a shift to electric vehicles, with even the largest delivery vehicles planned for electrification in city centres, although the Government aims for the majority of last-mile deliveries to be carried out by much smaller micro vehicles. The Government already offers a subsidy of up to 20% of £8000 for e-vans, but believes that micro vehicles are a more congestion-friendly solution.
Norman said: “We are on the cusp of an exciting and profound change in how people, goods and services move around the country, which is set to be driven by extraordinary innovation. Our last mile call for evidence and Future of Mobility call for evidence mark just one stage in our push to make the most of these inviting opportunities.”
A call for evidence has been issued for the Government to gain understanding of how the plans could be implemented and what difficulties may be faced. The current norm of large, non-urban distribution centres being unsuitable for lower-range electric vehicles and e-bikes has already been identified.
The plan is still in its infancy, so no date has been put on when these micro vehicles could replace vans in city centres.
Under the plan, the Government also aims to scrap most urban parking spaces, with the need for them being diminished by shared mobility schemes.
The plan ties in with the Government’s far-reaching air quality plans, as well as the Road to Zero strategy, under which all new cars and vans are planned to be “effectively zero emission” by 2040, while the sale of petrol and diesel-only cars will be banned.
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Checks calendar
Under the influence virtue signalling at its finest. Just say no.
What about
building work or repairs, its total pie in the sky, and will be the death of inner city shopping. Most cities have retailers who will not be able to be restocked by micro vans, and often have deliveries by articulated trucks, there are no electric arctics, and probably will not be at any time in the near future, what about buses or trains, not all of the rail network is electrified, and we will still have diesel locomotives belching pollution into the atmosphere, most stations are fairly central in most cities.
Citytiger wrote:
I think you'll find there is an electric artic, although whether Tesla will ever build and sell them in great numbers, before the company goes tits-up, is anybody's guess.
What a Load
If implemented these ‘plans’ (wishes) would represent the final death of the High-street. Tell me, how many of the cute little “final mile” units would be operated to re-stock a Tesco? Where would the handover and reloading take place? What would happen about unit-load-devices (pallets etc). Without them Retail grinds to a halt.
Would tradesmen such as plumbers and electricians be required to now have two vans, one for town and one for urban. How would they swop from one to another.
Far too much of what emanates from politicians is driven by “wouldn’t it be nice” rather than any sort of practical thinking. This is a prime example!
Lapps wrote:
All very valid points there. Unfortunately Mr.Norman is so far out of touch with reality, he appears to have forgotten where his constituency is, as no one has seen him in months. As he is from a very rural area, i am surprised he hasn't thought of these things.
@Lapps
Just what I was thinking. Couldn't have said it better myself.
@Lapps
You'll never make a politician.