The UK government is consulting on new regulations for electric vans, addressing aspects like annual testing, driver hours, tachographs, and speed limiters. This move, following a recent consultation, aims to ease the transition to electric vehicles by clarifying the rules for vans within the 4.25-tonne weight limit.
The consultation, titled ‘Zero emission vans: regulatory flexibility,’ aligns with the government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate and the impending ban on internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and vans by 2030.
Key proposals outlined in the consultation include:
- Shifting annual testing of zero-emission goods vehicles (ZEGVs) weighing between 3.5 and 4.25 tonnes from the heavy vehicle testing system to the MOT network, mirroring the tests used for 3 to 3.5-tonne goods vehicles.
- Modifying annual testing schedules for ZEGVs with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of 3.5 to 4.25 tonnes, with the first test after three years from initial registration, and annually thereafter.
- Exempting ZEGVs with a MAM of 3.5 to 4.25 tonnes (and those towing a trailer with a combined MAM up to 7 tonnes) from tachograph requirements, assimilated drivers’ hours rules (Regulation (EC) 561/2006, as it applies in the UK), and specific road transport working time rules when operating within Great Britain.
To further encourage the use of electric vans, the UK introduced a driving license rule exemption in 2018, which allows holders of category B licenses (standard car driving license) to drive alternatively fueled goods vans with a maximum authorised weight of 4.25 tonnes. Normally, driving a vehicle over 3.5 tonnes would require a C or C1 license.
In October 2023, the previous government released a consultation response providing additional flexibility for the driving license derogation. This response confirmed the continuation of the derogation and proposed further flexibilities, such as:
- Eliminating the additional five-hour training requirement.
- Broadening the vehicle types beyond goods vehicles.
- Adding a towing allowance.
Despite this announcement over a year ago, the necessary policy updates have yet to be implemented. The current government, in launching this new consultation, stated it is now revisiting the proposals from the previous consultation response to refine the driving license flexibility.
The consultation period commenced on December 24, 2024, and will conclude on March 3, 2025.
