RHA has repeated its call for clarity on the end-date for sale of new diesel and other new non-zero-emissions coaches but added that exemptions may be needed.
The request comes as the body urges coach operators to fill in its net-zero survey to help advise future policy.
RHA believes that clearer policy from the government on the end date of new diesel coach sales would aid planning and attract the private investment needed for the required infrastructure.
Chris Ashley, Head of Policy – Environment and Regulation for the the trade body for coach operators and haulage companies, says: “Our view is that we do need an end-date for coaches and it’s simply to focus the minds of of relevant industry players to meet that end date.
“We’ve been talking about about coaches benefiting from the HGV side and ‘piggybacking’ the HGV [charging] sites, but actually to have a coach-specific end date would be worthwhile.”
However, he adds: “Our caveat would be we need end dates, but with the potential for exemptions to meet those really hard-to-decarbonise use cases.”
He also highlights the role that low-carbon fuel alternatives should play on the road to net-zero.
“I don’t think we would stand in the way of the principle of looking to electrify or go to hydrogen where it’s viable,” he says. “But, where it’s not viable, you need to have that backup, and that’s where low-carbon fuels and the clean diesel that’s available absolutely should have a role.”
RHA’s survey, which will close on 15 April, is designed to help the body quantify and prioritise the issues facing coaching operators in the lead-up to net-zero. The responses will then help guide its future communications with various stakeholders, including the government.
