Conservative majority: fleet industry reaction

The Conservatives won a majority in the general election, meaning Boris Johnson stays as Prime Minister.

The Conservative manifesto contained bold pledges to reaching Net Zero by 2050 with investment in clean energy solutions and green infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions and pollution.

The party has pledged to commit £28.8 billion in strategic and local roads and to invest £1 billion in completing a fast-charging networkto ensure that everyone is within 30 miles of a rapid electric vehicle charging station.

It says it will "consult on the earliest date to phase out the sale of new conventional petrol and diesel cars, while minimising the impact on drivers and businesses."

The Conservatives have also planned a pothole-filling programme as part of our National Infrastructure Strategy.

Here is the fleet industry's reaction:

Paul Hollick, chairman, ICFM, said: “The fact that Britain now has a majority Government is excellent news and provides clarity and a distinct route for the journey ahead, while putting an end to the political and business uncertainty of recent years.

“The fact that the Conservative Party remains in power means that we can expect outstanding legislation, such as that relating to previously announced company car benefit-in-kind tax rates from April 2020, to be passed as previously announced.

“What’s more the mandate that Prime Minister Boris Johnson now has should enable the UK to leave the European Union on January 31, as the Conservative Party promised, and have a trade deal in place by the end of next year thus ensuring that the UK is tariff-free.

“With Christmas and New Year celebrations imminent, the fact that the Parliamentary deadlock has been broken with this result is a cause for optimism in 2020.”

Caroline Sandall, chairman, ACFO, said: “The large Conservative Party majority in the general election ends the political paralysis of the last three-and-a-half-years, which has been dominated by Brexit.

“As a result I hope that we will now see legislation, such as the outstanding Finance Bill, passed that puts into law the already announced company car benefit-in-kind tax rates for the three financial years starting 2020/21.

“What’s more, with the Conservative Party promising a Budget in February, ACFO looks forward to strong, coherent - not uncoordinated - policies that address poor air quality that impacts on everyone and a clear strategy to support the motor industry to reduce vehicle emissions and the overall environmental impact of transport.

“Finally with the Prime Minister promising to ‘get Brexit done’ by January 31, ACFO looks forward to a strong trade deal with the European Union being negotiated by the end of 2020 that supports the robust UK automotive sector, which is crucial as we move into a new political and technological arena.”

BVRLA Chief Executive Gerry Keaney said: “We will continue to engage with policymakers and work with the new government to help create a thriving electric vehicle market for the UK that will stimulate jobs, investment and decarbonisation as quickly as possible.
 
“We can do more to accelerate transport decarbonisation if the government provides the right policy incentives, including maintaining the Plug in Car Grant, long term certainty on company car tax and support for connecting charging infrastructure to the electricity grid.
 
“Our car club, rental and leasing members are providing flexible shared transport options for SMEs and individuals to help them make more environmentally friendly journeys. We would like to see government provide support to local authorities to create and join-up policy to develop new transport mobility solutions, including access to cleaner vehicles for low-income households.
 
“To help businesses further, we are asking government to support drivers who need to upgrade to cleaner vehicles to be compliant with Clean Air Zones. This includes establishing a new, ring-fenced 'Targeted Clean Freight Scrappage Fund' to help commercial vehicle operators upgrade their vans and trucks.”