Business group Logistics UK has stated the government’s regulatory flexibility consultation on zero emission vans provides an opportunity for regulatory alignment.
The group said that the consultation, which runs until 3 March 2025, will provide the opportunity to deliver regulatory alignment between 4.25 tonne electric vans and 3.5 tonne diesel vans, as well as preventing legacy legislation from inhibiting the uptake of electric vehicles in the future.
Logistics UK Head of Infrastructure and Planning Policy, Jonathan Walker said that the current situation, where 4.25 tonne electric vans are treated as HGVs in terms of MOT and driver hours requirements, is “nonsensical and is limiting the adoption of cleaner electric vehicles”.
He said that vehicles are the “same size and used to perform the same tasks as traditional vans”, and it is “only the extra weight from the batteries which moves them into a heavier weight category”.
Walker added that from an operational point of view, the vehicles are the same and aligning regulations will make it “easier to integrate electric vehicles into fleets”. In addition, removing the requirement for tachographs and drivers’ hours restrictions that are intended for HGVs means “there would be no disruption to shift patterns”, and annual roadworthiness checks could be carried out in the comprehensive MOT network instead of the heavy vehicle testing system.
Jonathan Walker said:
“We have long been campaigning for full regulatory alignment between 4.25 tonne electric vans and 3.5 tonne diesel vans, and this consultation is a clear indication that the government is listening to the sector’s concerns.
“Alongside its main proposals, we continue to press the government to remove the requirement for five hours additional training to drive an electric van, and lift the prohibition on the towing of a trailer. Vans are the workhorses of the UK economy and all barriers to their use need to be removed so drivers can use a zero-emission van just as easily as a petrol or diesel equivalent.”
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