Farnham, 16 April 2025 – Fleet electrification specialist BEDEO has issued a stark warning: without immediate government backing for electric retrofitting, the UK’s van fleet risks remaining locked in diesel dependency for decades—jeopardising the country’s net-zero ambitions and stalling progress on emissions reductions.
Recent figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) paint a concerning picture of the UK’s light commercial vehicle market. March 2025 marked the fourth consecutive month of declining new van sales, with battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) accounting for a mere 8.2 per cent of market share. Of particular concern is the fact that just 318 large BEV vans (3.5–4.25 tonnes) were sold, despite the plug-in van grant still being available.
The UK Government has also fallen drastically short of its 2024 Zero Emission Van (ZEV) mandate, achieving just 5.7 per cent zero-emission van registrations against a 10 per cent target. These numbers reveal not just missed targets but a policy gap that’s failing to accelerate the adoption of cleaner transport technologies.
While the UK lags behind, the diesel market remains resilient. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), 94 per cent of vans in the UK still run on diesel—higher than the already alarming 90.5 per cent average across the EU. Diesel van registrations across the EU even rose by 10.5 per cent year-on-year, suggesting that companies are doubling down on fossil fuels before impending regulatory bans.
With vans contributing 40 per cent of all logistics emissions and covering 58.7 billion miles in 2024 alone, BEDEO argues that ignoring retrofit solutions now will cause irreparable long-term damage to the UK’s decarbonisation plans.
“Van fleet operators need real options—not just the binary choice of buying a new large BEV or doing nothing,” says Osman Boyner, Founder and CEO of BEDEO. “Retrofitting gives businesses a third, viable route: keep the van, cut the emissions, save on cost. It’s the fastest way to slash fleet emissions without sacrificing payload or profitability.”
Boyner adds that while the UK has committed to phasing out new fossil-fuelled vehicles by 2035, this will have limited impact if legacy diesel vans continue to operate for another decade or more. The average UK van lifespan is 9.8 years, meaning today’s diesel purchases could still be polluting well beyond 2040.
Retrofitting: A Ready Solution, Ignored
Retrofitting technology allows diesel vans to be converted to electric drivetrains—cutting emissions instantly without the cost or waste of purchasing new vehicles. It also helps avoid premature scrappage and extends the functional life of otherwise roadworthy vehicles. It’s a solution already embraced by France, where government-backed schemes support fleet conversions.
In stark contrast, the UK Government has yet to offer any financial incentives or policy support for retrofitting. This, according to BEDEO, is a grave miscalculation.
“France is already proving that retrofitting works—with lower costs and immediate emissions savings. So why are we ignoring this proven, scalable technology here in the UK?” asks Boyner. “The transition to net zero doesn’t just need ambition—it needs action.”
Cost is another key factor. Retrofitting can cost up to 50 per cent less than purchasing a new electric van, making it especially attractive for small to mid-sized fleet operators feeling the squeeze of rising operational costs and limited infrastructure.
The Clock Is Ticking
With 4.6 million vans currently on UK roads and only 57 per cent of them purchased new, the remaining stock represents a massive untapped opportunity for decarbonisation. BEDEO warns that by continuing to prioritise new sales over practical alternatives, the government risks cementing diesel’s dominance for another generation.
“We will look back on this moment and regret the inaction,” says Boyner. “Retrofitting is here, it works, and it can start cutting emissions today. All we need now is the political will to match the urgency of the climate challenge.”
As fleet electrification stalls, BEDEO is calling on policymakers to implement immediate and meaningful support for retrofit technologies. The tools to decarbonise are already available—it’s time for legislation to catch up.
For more information, visit bedeo.tech.
