The recently announced consultation on regulatory flexibility regarding zero-emission vans will boost the uptake of electric vehicles by addressing current “nonsensical” rules, according to Logistics UK.
The business group believes that the Government’s new consultation, which runs alongside the 2030 phase-out/ZEV mandate consultation and is open until 3 March, 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.
Jonathan Walker, head of infrastructure and planning policy, said: “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.
“The vehicles are the same size and used to perform the same tasks as traditional vans: it is only the extra weight from the batteries which moves them into a heavier weight category.
“From an operational point of view, the vehicles are the same and aligning regulations will make it easier to integrate electric vehicles into fleets. Removing the requirement for tachographs and drivers’ hours restrictions that are intended for HGVs means there would be no disruption to shift patterns. In addition, annual roadworthiness checks could be carried out in the comprehensive MOT network instead of the heavy vehicle testing system.”
Logistics UK has long been campaigning for full regulatory alignment between 4.25-tonne electric vans and 3.5-tonne diesel vans, and Walker said the consultation is a clear indication that the Government is listening to the sector’s concerns.
Alongside the consultation’s main proposals, Logistics UK is also pushing for a removal of the requirement for five hours’ additional training to drive an electric van, and for the Government to 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,” Walker summed up.
Details of the government consultation and how to respond are online here.
