AFP adds eVED campaign to updated fleet manifesto

The Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) has updated its industry Manifesto to include lobbying against the introduction of electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED), warning that the planned tax could slow the UK’s transition to electric vehicles.

The fourth edition of the Manifesto is the first to be published since the 2024 General Election and has been overseen by the AFP’s recently appointed government affairs and policy lead, Dale Eynon.

The revised document sets out a series of policy proposals aimed at accelerating fleet decarbonisation, simplifying fleet taxation and regulation, improving charging infrastructure, enhancing road safety and strengthening workforce skills.

Among the new priorities is opposition to the Government’s planned introduction of eVED from April 2028, which the AFP says represents one of the most significant policy developments affecting fleet operators since the previous edition of the Manifesto.

Dale Eynon said: “The new version of the AFP Manifesto contains a comprehensive set of proposals designed to accelerate fleet decarbonisation, simplify fleet related taxation and regulation, improve national vehicle charging infrastructure, enhance fleet safety and mobility, and strengthen workforce capability.

“We are advocating for coordinated government action to support fleets through a complex and rapidly evolving technological landscape – and this document serves as a foundational ‘to do’ list for our lobbying strategy covering engagement with government departments, regulators, and industry partners.”

He said the introduction of eVED could have unintended consequences for the electric vehicle market.

“Implementing eVED in April 2028 may adversely affect both new and used EV values, elevating operational expenses for businesses and potentially decelerating the UK’s momentum toward electrification at a critical juncture. Fleets are rightly concerned.”

At the same time, Eynon welcomed the Government’s recently launched Road Safety Strategy, which has been added to the Manifesto following positive feedback from AFP members.

“Feedback from AFP members indicates that its measures are viewed as prudent, well-constructed, and likely to yield positive results,” he said.

The updated Manifesto also calls for greater support for electric van adoption, measures to stimulate the used EV market, reforms linking parking costs to shared mobility and public transport, and a review of the current “available to use” taxation rule.

Electric vehicle charging features prominently, with the AFP calling for a national kerbside charging strategy, stronger regulation of public chargepoints, greater investment in community charging projects and the removal of VAT on home charger installation costs.

The association has also renewed its support for the development of a dedicated fleet apprenticeship programme, which it says would be the first of its kind in the UK.

Paul Hollick, chair of the AFP, said: “The Manifesto represents our thinking on where we believe the government should be heading on a wide range of issues. It is designed to focus on practical points – ranging from small detail alterations to major strategic shifts – which will enable fleets to move forward with their plans faster and more effectively.”

Hollick added that previous editions of the Manifesto had already helped secure progress on a number of policy issues, including changes affecting 4.25-tonne electric vans and the introduction of longer-term benefit-in-kind tax tables.

“Much has been achieved… that shows our lobbying activity is producing positive real-world effects for fleets,” he said.