The Government has confirmed that it will bring forward legislation to remove regulation uncertainties that have held back the adoption of the largest electric vans (EVs).
The move, announced almost unnoticed among the many motoring measures in the Budget, follows years of lobbying by van operators and industry bodies such as the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) – a Government consultation on the issue concluded in March 2025.
The extra weight of battery packs have pushed the electric versions of the largest vans above the standard 3.5-tonne weight limit in terms of regulations, and into a ‘grey area’ where they are effectively being treated as HGVs.
As a result they have been potentially subject to more stringent regulations including annual MOT testing in the first three years and a need for the use of tachographs.
Drivers were also not permitted to drive such vans on a standard category B licence as it has a 3.5-tonne limit, meaning that companies switching to electric large vans would have to put their crews through an additional five hours of training. They could also not use such vans to tow trailers.
In 2019 the Government approved a concession allowing EVs of up to 4.25 tonnes to be driven on category B licences, and to tow trailers so long as the total authorised mass of van and trailer does not exceed seven tons – this became law in February 2025.
Van operators were still not convinced, however, as the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and the Department of Transport had still indicated that they believed some of the operating rules for HGVs also applied to the heavy EVs.
A survey by EV lobby group the Zero Emission Van Plan coalition revealed that this uncertainty was greatly holding back EV adoption, 96% of operators stating they would switch to electric if the rules were changed. The survey concluded that scrapping the regulations could lead to 160,000 electric van registrations in two years.
Now the Government has announced that it intends to bring forward legislation that will remove most of the perceived barriers to large EV adoption. The vehicles will be subject to the same class 7 MoT tests as are smaller vans, with the first test at three years of age, and the rules around driver use will be simplified, with much of the regulation removed particularly concerning the use of tachographs.
Questions remain over how quickly the legislation will proceed but the measures have been broadly welcomed by the industry. The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders described the move as crucial as EV uptake must rise rapidly above its current levels to meet increasingly tough government targets. “With each manufacturer required to hit a 24% target for ZEV registrations next year, every level must be pulled to make it easier for operators to make the switch sooner,” a SMMT spokesman stated.
Paul Hollick, Chair of the AFP, welcomed the move having alongside other industry bodies pushed for the measures for some time, saying; “We’re really pleased to see the government commit to pass legislation following the review – electric van adoption by fleets is proving much slower than anyone would like and these issues surrounding 4.25 tonne vans have been unnecessary obstacles. We’d now like to see these changes made law as soon as possible.”
Toby Poston, Chief Executive of the British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association, described the announcement as a great result for the van sector, showing policymakers have listened to the fleet sector, but he added that there is now a need to see the legislation passed quickly to finally remove the restrictive regulations.
“Today’s progress underlines what can be achieved when an industry comes together with a shared voice, met by Government representatives that are ready to listen. Operators of large vans are being given the chance access cleaner, greener models, no longer hamstrung by illogical operational loopholes” Poston said.
There was further positive news for electric van operators in the Budget when it was announced that initially at least, the controversial new ‘pay-per-mile’ electric vehicle tax set to be introduced in April 2028 will not apply to vans or trucks.
