The UK Government has announced a significant update to driving licence rules for heavier electric vans, aligning them more closely with their lighter petrol and diesel counterparts. This move aims to remove barriers to the adoption of zero-emission vehicles and accelerate the transition to cleaner road transport solutions.
Under the new rules, drivers holding a standard Category B Licence will soon be able to operate zero-emission vehicles weighing up to 4.25 tonnes up from the current limit of 3.5 tonnes for conventional vehicles. The change accounts for the additional weight of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, ensuring that EVs are not penalised under outdated regulations.
A key highlight of the announcement is the removal of the five-hour training requirement previously mandated for drivers of electric vans in this weight category. Additionally, towing allowances for electric vans weighing up to 4.25 tonnes will be brought in line with those for equivalent petrol and diesel vehicles. It’s important to mention these changes are subject to parliamentary approval but are expected to come into force this spring.
These updated rules are likely to coincide with an extension to the plug-in van grant, offering fleets up to £5,000 off of the cost of an electric van until April 2026. However, industry stakeholders are eagerly awaiting the outcome of an ongoing consultation titled ‘Zero Emission Vans: Regulatory Flexibility’, which seeks to address further regulatory barriers.
Key proposals in the consultation include shifting annual testing for zero-emission goods vehicles (3.5t to 4.25t) from heavy vehicle testing systems to the MOT network, exempting these vehicles from tachograph use and drivers’ hours rules when operating within Great Britain, and implementing a three-year initial testing period post-registration. Industry leaders have welcomed the changes but stress that more needs to be done. Logistics UK’s senior policy manager Chris Yarsley emphasised the importance of full regulatory alignment between 4.25-tonne electric vans and 3.5-tonne diesel vans.
“Vans are the workhorses of the UK economy”, said Yarsley. “Removing unnecessary barriers, such as the extra training requirements, will make it easier for operators to integrate zero-emission vehicles into their fleets”
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), alongside other members of the Zero Emission Van Plan coalition, has been actively lobbying for these reforms. A spokesperson noted that while the latest updates mark progress, electric van registrations remain far below targets.
“This is a positive step forward, but there’s still much work to be done”, the spokesperson added. “We must continue pushing for greater fiscal support, improved charging infrastructure, and the removal of remaining regulatory hurdles to ensure the UK meets its green ambitions.”
As policymakers take action, the focus now shifts to accelerating the pace of change. For the UK to achieve cleaner, greener road transport, the van sector must remain a priority-and this announcement signals momentum in the right direction.
