Fleet management provider Holman is urging significant reform of electric van regulations on testing and tachographs to drive market growth, particularly focused on heavier electric LCVs.
The company has responded to the Government’s consultation on MOT testing and tachograph requirements for electric vans with a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of 3.5t to 4.25t, proposing a hybrid testing approach that would maintain safety standards while addressing capacity concerns.
Dominic Hutchinson, Holman’s head of operations, said: “We fully support the transfer of annual testing for zero-emission commercial vehicles with a MAM of 3.5t to 4.25t from the heavy vehicle testing system to the MOT network.
“The HGV MOT network already struggles with capacity, and adding what could be a considerable number of extra units to those repairers will only exacerbate the situation.
“Taking advantage of the large number of independent MOT stations makes far more sense and is far less likely to impact asset operators.”
While supporting the move away from HGV testing facilities, Holman maintains that annual testing should continue for these vehicles rather than adopting a three-year first MOT regime.
The company, which manages a substantial van fleet including BT Group’s record electric vehicle order, argues that this approach would generate vital safety data much sooner.
Hutchinson added: “The issue with moving to a three-year first MOT regime is that we’re not going to get any statistically relevant data from the DVSA until the end of this decade at the earliest – and that’s assuming many of these vans come into use in the next year or two. That’s too long to wait to find out what’s going on in terms of compliance.”
For implementation, Holman stresses the need for clear guidance on the new testing regime, including equipment requirements and testing standards.
“HGV MOT testing typically requires specialised ramps with features like suspension play detectors to meet existing DVSA standards. There will need to be alignment on what is tested under the new regime,” Hutchinson added.
The company, with its network of over 2,000 SMR sites, has committed to consulting with MOT partners to ensure they can handle increased testing volumes.
On tachographs, Holman advocates for their removal in newer electric vans, arguing that modern safety systems provide adequate protection while removing a significant operational burden.
Hutchinson explained: “In terms of removing the need for tachographs and driver hours legislation, we should see a reduction in overhead costs for all operators, which will help facilitate the transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). However, we need to ensure this does not come at the expense of road safety, so a balance must be struck. This is a critical issue for the adoption of these vehicle types.”
