The Government has committed to new legislation aimed at making 3.5–4.25-tonne zero-emission vans easier for fleets to operate, following its consultation on MOT testing, tachographs, drivers’ hours and speed limiter rules. The measures, published in response to the Zero Emission Vans: regulatory flexibility review, are designed to remove barriers that have slowed heavier electric van uptake.
Welcoming the announcement, Toby Poston, chief executive of the BVRLA, said: “This is a great result for the van sector… Policymakers have listened to the fleet sector. We now need to see the legislation passed quickly to finally remove these restrictive regulations.”
MOT changes
The Department for Transport says operators view the current roadworthiness testing regime for these vans as a significant burden. The Government will now move 3.5–4.25t electric vans into the Class 7 MOT system, with a first test at three years and annual tests thereafter. A post-implementation review will monitor collision rates, MOT failures and roadside prohibitions.Drivers’ hours & tachographs
Respondents backed shifting these vans to GB drivers’ hours rules, bringing them in line with equivalent ICE vans. The DfT will now explore legislation to move away from assimilated EU-derived rules. Concerns about excessive working hours were not supported by data; the DfT notes the GB rules are actually stricter, limiting driving to 10 hours within an 11-hour working day.Speed limiters
Currently capped at 56mph, most respondents felt speed limiters should remain in place. Any change would require further consultation due to potential safety implications and risks of creating niche regulatory categories. Toby Poston added: “Operators of large vans are being given the chance to access cleaner, greener models, no longer hamstrung by illogical operational loopholes.”Learn more about the regulation here.