Government measures announced today (25 February) to encourage businesses to switch to zero emission vans do not go far enough, according to Logistics UK, which is calling for other “nonsensical” restrictions on 4.25 tonne electric vans to be removed.
Whilst Logistics UK has welcomed the government’s decision to extend the plug-in grant for vans for another year and to remove the need for extra training for drivers operating an electric van, it is calling for other restrictions to be lifted so that there is full regulatory alignment between 3.5 tonne diesel vans and 4.25 tonne zero emission vans.
Currently, 4.25 tonne zero emission vans are subject to a number of restrictions from which their 3.5 tonne diesel equivalents are exempt. These were imposed because the batteries in electric vans make the vehicles heavier than equivalent size petrol or diesel vans.
These restrictions include the need to register a 4.25 tonne electric van as an HGV; have it undergo an HGV MOT after the first year; comply with tacho and EU Drivers Hours regulations, if driven further than 100 miles from base; and to be driven no faster than 56 mph.
Chris Yarsley, Logistics UK senior policy manager for road freight regulation, said: “Removing the need for additional training to operate electric vans and aligning towing regulations with equivalent sized ICE vans will help our members, and the industry in general, integrate zero emission vehicles into their fleets.
“It is the first step to achieving the full regulatory alignment between 4.25 tonne electric vans and 3.5 tonne diesel vans, which Logistics UK as part of the Zero Emission Van Plan coalition has long been campaigning for, and will speed up the adoption of electric vehicles.
However, he added: “The current situation, where 4.25 tonne electric vans are treated differently to their ICE counterparts is nonsensical and is limiting the use of cleaner electric vehicles.
“The vehicles are the same size and perform the same tasks as traditional vans: it is only the extra weight from the batteries which moves them into a heavier weight category with additional regulations.
Yarsley called for all restrictions to be removed: “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.”
Logistics UK is part of a coalition of associations, inluding BVRLA, the REA and its EV forum REcharge UK, the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP), and The EV Café. Last year the coalition launched the Zero Emission Van Plan.
A spokesperson for the Zero Emission Van Plan, said: “Today marks a positive step forward but there remains a long way to go. Electric van registrations are far short of where they need to be, a host of regulatory barriers remain.
“We have been in constant contact with decision makers to reinforce the case for vans. The ongoing consultation, into the need for further regulatory flexibilities, presents another key milestone where we need to see positive progress.
“It is good to see the government taking action. Now we must make sure we accelerate further and faster.”
