ACEA urges faster electrification of Europe’s van fleet

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has released a new position paper, “Accelerating the Transition of Light Commercial Vehicles in Europe,” warning that the electrification of vans is progressing too slowly to meet EU climate goals.

Despite record investment from manufacturers and a growing number of electric van models on the market, the battery-electric van (BEV) share reached only 9.5% in the first half of 2025 – well below the 15–20% needed to achieve the EU’s 2025 CO₂ reduction target, and far from the 50% reduction required by 2030.

ACEA stresses that light commercial vehicles (LCVs) are essential to Europe’s economy, underpinning last-mile delivery, small business operations, and vital public services. However, several structural challenges continue to slow their decarbonisation.

Key barriers identified in the paper include:

• Inadequate charging infrastructure, particularly for overnight depot and on-street charging;
• High total cost of ownership (TCO) due to elevated electricity prices and reliance on expensive fast-charging;
• Regulatory inconsistencies, where battery weight pushes some vehicles into truck-level compliance categories;
• Limited fiscal incentives, with fewer benefits available to van operators compared to passenger car buyers.

The paper warns that without targeted action, Europe risks missing climate targets and weakening the competitiveness of its logistics and SME sectors.

To address these issues, ACEA calls for a comprehensive policy framework combining:

• Faster rollout of fit-for-purpose charging infrastructure for commercial operations;
• Fiscal and financial incentives aligned with those available for electric cars;
• Greater regulatory flexibility to account for operational realities and vehicle diversity;
• Parallel development of renewable fuels to complement electrification.