MCIA hails new chapter for Powered Light Vehicles and their role in the future of our cities’ transport systems

MCIA has today welcomed the Government’s announcement it will deliver an action plan to build new UK opportunities for Zero Emission Powered Light Vehicles (PLVs), including Motorcycles and Scooters as part of the Transport Decarbonisation Plan.

The landmark announcement, which comes off the back of three years of intensive MCIA engagement with Government ministers and officials, is welcomed by MCIA and testament to the innovative and flexible approach members have adopted towards their business models and manufacturing strategies.

We foresaw two years ago via our Route to Tomorrow’s Journey document, launched in June 2019, the rise in urban and sub-urban mobility solutions. The research detailed helped paint a picture of the transport and environmental issues we are now facing and has resulted in the recognition of PLVs in the Transport Decarbonisation Plan.

Whereas previously, PLVs and other powered two wheelers were thought about exclusively through the prism of safety and pollution, through positioning our industry as part of the solution to many of the Government’s public policy challenges, we find ourselves in a far better position than when we first embarked on this journey three years ago.  

We are proud to be included in the Transport Decarbonisation Plan and chosen by the Government to jointly lead the conception and delivery of the action plan along with Zemo Partnership.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Tony Campbell, Chief Executive of MCIA, said:

“The government has today laid down a long overdue marker, signalling not the end but the start of our next chapter. We will as an association continue to hold the government to account on its promises during this vitally important next phase of implementation.

“From being a clean and efficient way of getting around to generating industrial opportunities for the UK, we are thrilled to be working with Zemo Partnership in conceiving and delivering an action plan for PLVs fit for the future of our cities’ transport systems.

“We remain steadfast in our continuing to be a constructive partner to government in ensuring the many benefits our sector brings to society are fully realised, at a local and national level, whilst doing everything in our power to ensure our fleets remain as green and clean as possible. Motorcycles, Scooters and other forms of Powered Light Vehicles will play a key role and we are extremely happy this has now been recognised”

Andy Eastlake, CEO of Zemo Partnership, said: “We welcome the clear focus in the Government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan on the Motorcycle and Scooter sector, which includes all forms of Powered Light Vehicles. We think this provides a large and, as yet, largely unexploited opportunity to change the way we commute in urban and sub-urban environments, leading to reduced congestion and emissions. The benefits to UK PLC are also enormous and offer great opportunities for British investment.

 Zemo Partnership will be developing an action plan in collaboration with MCIA to maximise the opportunities for the UK in both building and using these vehicles to best effect.”


Notes for Editors:
For more information about the work of the MCIA and Powered Light Vehicles, or to interview MCIA CEO, Tony Campbell, please contact 07795 844779 or email t.campbell@mcia.co.uk.

The MCIA is the body that represents the UK Powered Light Vehicle (PLV) industry.  PLVs can be defined as lightweight scooters, motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles, typically with zero or low-emission power.