The Government is updating driving licence regulations to ensure that heavier electric vans have the same allowances as their petrol and diesel equivalents.
On February 25, the Department for Transport (DfT) introduced secondary legislation in Parliament that will permit Category B licence holders to operate zero-emission vehicles weighing up to 4.25 tonnes. This update expands the scope beyond just goods vans to include minibuses, SUVs, and trucks.
This adjustment takes into account the extra weight of electric vehicle batteries and removes the previous requirement for five hours of additional training for drivers. Additionally, towing rules for electric vans up to 4.25 tonnes will also be revised. If approved by Parliament, these changes are expected to take effect in spring 2025.
The allowance for Category B drivers to operate 4.25-tonne electric vans was initially introduced in 2018 to accommodate the added battery weight.
In October 2023, the previous Government announced its intention to remove the training requirement and revise towing allowances. However, the changes were not implemented before the General Election, leading to delays for fleet operators awaiting the new rules.
To coincide with the licence update, the Government has also extended the plug-in van grant, which offers fleets up to £5,000 off an electric van purchase. The grant will now remain available until April 2026.
Fleet operators are also awaiting the outcome of the ongoing "Zero Emission Vans: Regulatory Flexibility" consultation. This review, which closes on March 3, is examining regulations related to annual vehicle testing, tachographs, driver hours, and speed limiter requirements for 4.25-tonne electric vans.
Proposals under consideration include:
• Moving annual vehicle testing for 3.5t to 4.25t zero-emission goods vehicles from heavy vehicle testing centres to the standard MOT network.
• Revising testing schedules so that the first inspection occurs three years after registration, with annual tests thereafter.
• Removing tachograph, driver hours, and road transport working time requirements for 4.25t zero-emission vans used within Great Britain.
Many in the fleet and logistics sector have welcomed the changes, with Duncan Webb, fleet director at the AA, saying that requiring fleets to follow truck-style regulations for electric vans has been an "absolute blocker" to wider adoption.
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) has encouraged fleet operators to provide feedback, particularly on how current restrictions hinder electric van uptake. The organisation is advocating for 4.25-tonne electric vans to be treated like standard 3.5-tonne light commercial vehicles (LCVs) rather than heavier trucks.
With the Zero Emission Vans consultation closing on March 3, industry leaders are hopeful that the Government will take further action to remove barriers and provide greater support for electric van adoption.
If the proposed changes move forward as expected, electric van drivers will soon have licence flexibility, fewer regulatory hurdles, and continued financial incentives, making the transition from diesel to electric more practical for fleet operators across the UK.