A new study from the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership identifies
the potential for Powered Light Vehicles (PLVs) to play a
significant role in providing lower impact mobility for UK
citizens in the future, particularly in urban areas. It
concludes that there is a substantial economic opportunity for
companies involved and - in broader industrial terms – for ‘UK
Plc’ in nurturing this market.
The report – published in executive summary form - is introduced
today at an event hosted by the Motorcycle Industry Association
(MCIA), attended by business minister MP. PLVs are one of the
most promising solutions that could be adopted in support of the
Government’s Future of Mobility Urban Strategy[1],
published in March this year,
The report identifies, however, that if the potential of PLVs to
be realised, several regulatory barriers need to be addressed
along with their closer incorporation into the policy framework.
Powered Light Vehicles (PLVs) is the collective term for a range
of two, three and four-wheeled vehicles for either passenger or
cargo use[2].
Their compact size and light weight maximises the use of
available road space and, as they are predominantly powered by
zero and low-emission powertrains, offers an efficient, clean and
practical form of personal and commercial mobility.
The Powered Light Vehicle Consortium (PLVC) was formed by the
LowCVP to assess the potential for the larger three and
four-wheeled ‘L-Category’ vehicles. Academics from seven UK
universities contributed to the report, published in summary form
today with additional resources available on a ‘PLV Hub’ hosted
on the LowCVP website.
The use of PLVs is widespread in a number of large markets around
the world. In 2018 there were 50,342 electric-powered L-Category
vehicles registered in the EU, representing 3.8% of total
L-Category registrations. However, by the end of 2018, there were
only 610 ultra-low emission quadricycles and 412 plug-in grant
eligible motorcycles and mopeds registered in the UK[3].
Globally, there is likely to be growth in demand for this
category of vehicle as the demand for mobility and goods in
space-constrained urban environments increases and – particularly
in developed markets – as a result of environmental drivers.
Key recommendations of the report include:
• Raise
awareness amongst key stakeholders - fleet buyers,
consumers & policy makers - of the environmental and societal
benefits, economic potential offered by PLVs.
• Undertake
whole life-cycle assessment of PLVs so that
consumers and legislators have quantitative data about the impact
of replacing M or N-category cars & vans with PLVs.
• Make
representations at EU level to include PLVs in
fleet averages, to encourage the manufacture and purchase of
these vehicles in lieu of, or as a replacement for, conventional
cars.
• Implement
technical R&D projects needed to optimise
innovative new vehicle systems/components for this weight class
of vehicle (existing car supply chain components are often too
heavy).
• Conduct
end-user research to build on the insights from
early adopters and better understand their needs/desires – e.g.
vehicle specifications and retail price targets (including TCO
considerations) required to achieve mass adoption.
• Improve
regulatory delineation between open “sit-on”
L-Category vehicles and enclosed “sit-in” L-Category PLVs.
• Research
the optimal regulatory structure to identify the
best balance of safety systems and requirements within the
sector.
• DfT
and the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) to consult
stakeholders about creating a National Small Series
Type Approval (NSSTA) for PLVs.
• Create
a clear consumer identity for PLVs and
establish clear, specific legal framework.
LowCVP’s Managing Director Andy
Eastlake said: “Powered Light Vehicles have
received too little attention to date. I hope this summary report
will stimulate policy makers and other involved stakeholders to
establish a clearer focus on what PLVs can do to help us meet the
objectives defined in various government strategies[4] as
well as sharpen focus on the industrial opportunity they
represent.”
Tony Campbell, Chief Executive of MCIA said:
“The MCIA and LowCVP are kindred spirits in our desire to put
PLVs at the top of the transport agenda and this report
highlights the advantages of these vehicles for both the users
and UK business.”
For more information and to download the summary report, please
visit the PLV Hub: www.lowcvp.org.uk/plv
Footnotes
3 https://www.acem.eu/market-data-2018
4 Clean Growth Strategy, 2017: www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-growth-strategy ;
The Road to Zero, 2018: www.gov.uk/government/publications/reducing-emissions-from-road-transport-road-to-zero-strategy ;
Clean Air Strategy 2019: www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-air-strategy-2019;
Future of Mobility Urban Strategy (prev ref.)
