Businesses are calling for an official deferral for MOT tests on electric vans after fleet operators reported they are ‘impossible’ to book.
Electric versions of regular large vans often fall within the 4.25-tonne derogation rules. It means they are treated as a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) for the MOT. This requires them to be tested at one year old, rather than three.
There are now a growing number of electric vans on UK roads. However, HGV testing capacity is generally very poor, and even fewer test stations are equipped to handle electric vehicles.
It means many companies have not been able to book in their vehicles for an MOT. “This is going to have a serious impact on our business,” said Speedy Hire fleet and logistics director, Aaron Powell. “We’re going to have to take these vans off the road, and no doubt many other fleets are finding themselves in the same situation.”
Call for MOT to be deferred
Trade body the Association of Fleet Operators (AFP) is calling for electric van MOTs to be deferred. It argues that the vehicles do not require the more rigorous HGV tests.
“These vehicles are simply 3.5-tonne vans with bigger batteries,” said AFP vice chair, Lorna McAtear. “It’s questionable whether 4.25-tonne electric vans require HGV tests, an argument we have been making to government for some time.”
While the situation is being resolved, she would like to see some form of dispensation similar to that created during the pandemic.
This would allow fleets to defer tests for a period of six or 12 months on 4.25-tonne vans for the first and second year of testing. This would give them time to find and book MOT tests without vehicles having to be taken off the road.
“It is disappointing that businesses working in good faith to electrify their light commercial vehicle operations are being affected in this manner,” added McAtear.
ALSO READ:
1 in 3 caught out by bus lane confusion
Volkswagen says go electric for your new year’s resolution
Study finds PHEV owners drive electric 81 percent of the time
