The Road to Zero: Everything your business needs to know

As we begin to move forward to a greener future, one question the experts at Devitech are often asked is: ‘what is the Road to Zero and how will this affect my business?’

To help you understand the Road to Zero and what you as an employer need to do, we’ve answered three core questions:

• What is the Road to Zero?
• How does the Road to Zero impact my business?
• How can my business prepare for the Road to Zero?

WHAT IS THE ROAD TO ZERO?

The Road to Zero is a document that outlines the government's plan for long term zero emissions and road transport strategy, aiming to be achieved by 2040. 

It outlines how the government are trying to encourage us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while positioning the UK economy to take advantage of the commercial opportunities that this energy transition will bring.

To encourage you to choose cleaner vehicles, the Road to Zero document outlines incentives such as:

• Targeted grants for purchasing zero emission vehicles or into the research & development of clean emission technologies.
• Fiscal benefits for choosing a low emitting vehicles, and more taxing higher on higher emitting vehicles.
• Quotas for low emission vehicle purchasing for fleets owned by local or central governments.

In order to charge electric vehicles, the government will entourage the development of infrastructure through a combination of:

• Targeted grants and subsidies for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations and research into the area.
• Reform of planning system to ensure charge points are included in new development projects where relevant.
• Enforcing “smart” charge points to reduce the potential impact the mass adoption of electric cars will have on the grid.
• Fiscal incentives for businesses looking to offer charge points.
  

Does your business not have a plan for the Net Zero strategy? It’s time to step up. Check out the government funding options available for your business in our 'Complete Guide to Commercial EV Funding' resource.

HOW DOES THE ROAD TO ZERO IMPACT MY BUSINESS?

Although the Road to Zero strategy focuses on the long term impact of minimal emissions, it references a number of policies that are relevant to businesses today that you should be aware of, such as:

• Benefit in Kind, BiK, tax on electricity provided to employees at work.
  
• Preferential company car BiK rates that offer significant savings on low and zero emission plug in vehicles instead of using the petrol or diesel car equivalent.
  
• The Workplace Charging Scheme gives businesses up to £350 off the installation of their charging points.
  
• Plug-in Vehicle Grants, applying discounts off the list price of zero to very low emission cars and vans.
• Electric Vehicle Chargepoint grant that allows employees to claim up to £350 off the installation of an electric vehicle charge point in their home.
  

There are other policies that will become relevant as we approach the end goal date of the Road to Zero, such as:

• £400m fund for businesses to provide charging infrastructure. This might result in different offers for certain industries.
• Zero emission vehicle fleet mandates for public sector fleets.
  

To achieve the Road to Zero goal, however, the government are aware that considerable private sector investment will be needed in the next few years to achieve a sustainable EV charging infrastructure. This includes other investment, such as the Digital Infrastructure Investment Fund, ensuring that all businesses are capable of meeting the Road to Zero deadline.

Want to learn more about these schemes but don’t know where to start? Get your free copy of 'Complete Guide to Commercial EV Funding'.

HOW CAN MY BUSINESS PREPARE FOR THE ROAD TO ZERO?

To prepare for the Road to Zero, it’s important to become an early adopter of electric vehicles and their charging stations. This allows you to receive full benefit of the grants that are currently in place, maximising your profits.

In order to get the most out of your new electric vehicle charging stations, it’s key to consider working with an EV charger servicing company.

Such businesses would be able to process core grants, allowing you to save money, easily installing and providing invaluable support to your business. As your EV charging stations age, a support company would be able to optimise the length you’re able to continue using them, maximising your ROI from each charger installed.

Similarly, a good EV charging station support business would also provide remote monitoring, ensuring if anything happened to your charging station, they would be able to fix any errors before they became a serious issue.

Ultimately, in order to get the most value out of your money, your business should begin preparing for the Road to Zero now. Early adopters of EV charging stations on their sites have a considerable number of benefits, such as:

• Reducing fleet cost, as EVs cost significantly less to charge and repair.
• Avoid high overhead costs in the long run due to available grants.
• Attract fresh talent by showing potential employees your ESG plan.
• Generate ROI by setting your own price cap on how much you charge customers for fuelling their vehicle.

So, what are you waiting for? Start mapping your decarbonisation plan today.