 said that on its current trajectory, it would be impossible to introduce a ban on the sale of new diesel lorries in 2040, without parts of the economy suffering. Commenting on the deadline, Chris Ashley, the RHA's environment lead, told The Telegraph: 'In the most extreme situation there will be some parts of the economy we can't service.' The comments come just a month after 40 MPs wrote to prime minister Rishi Sunak, urging him to delay the 2030 ban of petrol and diesel cars, warning that it could cause 'grave harm to the economy'. Difficulties for forestry and quarrying Speaking to The Telegraph, Mr Ashley singled out forestry and quarrying as the parts of the economy that faced the biggest challenges as electric vehicles couldn't currently cope with the heavy loads needed to transport these goods. He also indicated that hydrogen technology isn't developed enough yet to be a feasible alternative. He said: 'If the targets can't be met, we're looking at basically a restructure of how logistics operates, because of a lack of range for long distance haulage [in electric vehicles], which could hypothetically mean more trucks on the road.' In 2021, the then transport secretary, Grant Shapps, brought in two deadlines for diesel and petrol lorries, to mirror the 2030 ban for petrol and diesel cars. These include banning the sale of all petrol and diesel lorries under 26 tonnes by 2035, while a ban for vehicles above that weight is set to come in in 2040. Vehicles under 26 tonnes are usually vans and rigid lorries, where the trailer is permanently fixed, while those over 26 tonnes are articulated lorries and carry trailers. Need for flexibility on dates However, Mr Ashley said flexibility would be needed on these dates, including potential exemptions, adding that electrif){kind=link}
The Road Haulage Association said that on the current trajectory, it may not be possible to service ‘some parts of the economy’
Some industries could be cut off and unable to operate properly without changes to the government’s 2040 diesel lorries ban, the country’s main haulage body has warned.
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) said that on its current trajectory, it would be impossible to introduce a ban on the sale of new diesel lorries in 2040, without parts of the economy suffering.
Commenting on the deadline, Chris Ashley, the RHA’s environment lead, told The Telegraph: “In the most extreme situation there will be some parts of the economy we can’t service.”
The comments come just a month after 40 MPs wrote to prime minister Rishi Sunak, urging him to delay the 2030 ban of petrol and diesel cars, warning that it could cause “grave harm to the economy”.