The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has called for increased support for the development of the latest ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) in the heavy goods vehicle (HGV) sector.

Responding to a new report from the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee, the FTA welcomed ongoing investment in ULEVs for use by the public, but stated that more investment is now needed in the HGV market.

Head of national and regional policy at the FTA Christopher Snelling argued that more support is now needed to ensure the development and uptake of low-emission models continues apace, with suggestions to reform weight limitations on alternatively powered vehicles especially positive.

He said: "Trials of alternative power sources for lorries were made under the government's Low Carbon Truck Trial and a further low-emission freight and logistics trial has recently been announced, but more fiscal support will be needed if these new vehicles are to get taken up by purchasers any time soon.  

"Currently alternatively powered vehicles only make up 0.2 per cent of the UK's HGV fleet."

Providing increased support for businesses intent on reducing their overall environmental impact through the use of ULEV HGVs will play an integral role in the ongoing greening of the UK's transport fleets in the years ahead.

Developing enhanced sustainable transport policies in the coming years will be integral to this, the organisation concluded.