Red tape to electric van adoption will be removed from June

ELECTRIC vans will become more fleet friendly as the Government has confirmed that restrictive regulations impacting larger electric vans are being removed from 1 June 2026,

Having previously been treated more in line with HGVs as opposed to their petrol or diesel equivalents, electric vans weighing between 3.5 and 4.25 tonnes will be removed from heavy vehicle testing requirements to Class 7 MOT rules. Such vehicles will also require their first MOT three years after registration, not the first year as has been the case to date.

The changes also see 3.5-4.25t zero emission vans move into the GB Drivers’ hours rules, removing the requirement to use a tachograph and the existing ‘distance from base’ limit.

This was a core component of the Zero Emission Van Plan, a BVRLA-led initiative in collaboration with Logistics UK, Recharge UK, The Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP), and The EV Café.

Launched in February 2024, the Plan also called for:

Extension of the Plug-in Van Grant
Introduction of a Depot Charging Scheme
Guidance for Local Authorities and cross-pavement solutions
Removal of the 5-hour training requirement for larger vans
Allowing larger electric vans to tow
A consultation on aligning MOT and driver hours regulations for larger electric vans with their diesel equivalents

“Tackling the barriers to large electric van uptake has been a top priority for the BVRLA and our members. Following extensive collaboration between government and industry, these changes remove major operational hurdles for fleets and unlock a critical part of the UK’s transition to zero-emission road transport.”

Toby Poston, BVRLA Chief Executive Tweet

Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister Keir Mather said: “We’re backing UK businesses to expand and decarbonise their fleets, and that’s why we’re investing over £1 billion to support businesses to roll out e-vans, trucks and the charging needed to support them.

“As well as saving up to £5,000 off the cost of a new electric van, businesses will now no longer face unnecessary red tape when they make the switch.”