The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Associatio has welcomed the Government’s decision to postpone the implementation of Clean Air Zones until 2021.
BVRLA Chief Executive Gerry Keaney said, “This is a very sensible decision in the current circumstances. It gives some temporary respite for businesses and individuals trying to come to terms with the current health crisis and gives the government’s Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) extra time to make sure that key systems such as the centralised payment portal are fit-for-purpose and more fleet friendly.”
The UK new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market fell 54.3% in March amid nationwide lockdown measures in response to the coronavirus crisis. According to the latest figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), registrations more than halved compared with March 2019, with just 30,247 vans bearing the new ’20 number plate joining the roads.
Demand fell in double digits across most segments, with only the small volume 4×4 sector experiencing an 18.4% increase. Pickups and smaller vans weighing less than 2 tonnes saw declines of -57.8% and -64.0% respectively. Larger vans weighing more than 2.5-3.5 tonnes made up the bulk of registrations, but were down -56.0%, with 17,925 units registered. Performance year-to-date is down -33.9%, rounding off the weakest first quarter since March 2012.