The proposals follow a consultation on regulatory flexibility for zero-emission vans and recommend aligning the rules for electric vans with those that apply to 3.5-tonne diesel models.
According to the Department for Transport, many electric vans exceed the 3.5-tonne threshold solely due to battery weight, despite being identical in size and usage to their ICE counterparts.
Shift from HGV testing to MOT network
Under the recommended changes, 4.25-tonne electric vans would be moved from the HGV testing regime into the Class 7 MOT system, using the same testing process as 3–3.5-tonne vans. Their first MOT would take place after three years, rather than after one year as currently required for HGV-classified vehicles.
The government says the move would reduce cost and administrative burden for operators, increase the number of available test locations, and reduce vehicle downtime.
Removal of tachograph and HGV drivers’ hours requirements
The response to the consultation also supports removing these vans from the assimilated EU drivers’ hours rules and tachograph requirements when operating domestically in Great Britain. Instead, they would fall under GB domestic drivers’ hours rules, which apply to lighter vans and do not require tachograph installation.
The Department for Transport argues that this would simplify fleet management for operators running mixed fleets of diesel and electric vans, and reduce the risk of compliance errors caused by switching between rule sets.
Speed limiters: no immediate changes
While electric vans over 3.5 tonnes are currently required to be fitted with 56 mph speed limiters, the government is not proposing changes at this stage. Instead, it is seeking evidence on whether the requirement acts as a barrier to ZEGV adoption and what safety implications any change might have.
Logistics UK: “victory for common sense”
Logistics UK has welcomed the proposals, calling them a “victory for common sense” that could accelerate zero-emission van deployment.
Chris Yarsley, Senior Policy Manager for Road Freight Regulation, said the current rules classing standard-size electric vans as HGVs are “nonsensical”, as the only reason for their higher weight is the battery.
He added that removing HGV-specific MOT and driver-hours requirements would give operators greater confidence to invest in cleaner vehicles and reduce unnecessary compliance costs. Logistics UK also noted that the changes reflect its long-standing calls for the government to fully align regulations for 4.25-tonne electric vans with 3.5-tonne diesel vans, and welcomed progress on expanding the N1 classification to include electric vans up to 4.25 tonnes.
Read more: A transport giant is emerging in Europe
EU moving in the same direction
The UK proposals come as the European Commission prepares similar regulatory changes. According to information obtained earlier by Trans.INFO, the Commission plans to exempt 4.25-tonne battery-electric vans from the obligation to fit an intelligent tachograph and a 90 km/h speed limiter when these vehicles exceed 3.5 tonnes solely because of battery weight.
The measure, expected to be presented on 10 December 2025 as part of the upcoming “Automotive Omnibus” package, aims to ensure that electric vans do not face stricter N2-category requirements than diesel equivalents. The Commission argues that imposing HGV-type rules on standard-sized electric vans creates competitive disadvantages and slows down fleet electrification.
The same legislative package is set to include adjustments to Euro 7 on-road testing for heavy-duty vehicles, as well as links to ongoing work on revising the EU’s CO₂ standards for cars and vans.
For operators, the EU’s planned exemption would remove two of the most significant regulatory obstacles for heavier electric vans operating across borders. Combined with the UK’s proposals for domestic operations, the changes point to a wider shift toward reducing administrative barriers and supporting the transition to zero-emission commercial transport.
Next steps
The consultation on these proposed changes runs until 3 March 2025, after which the government will publish a summary of responses and confirm its legislative plans.
