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Zero Emissions Vans – 4.25t GVM

Is Legislative Reform on the Horizon?

Large Electric Van Weight

One of the main issues facing van manufacturers when designing an electric van is balancing two critical factors –  payload versus range. The battery packs fitted to an electric van are heavy and, as a rule, make the unladen weight of electric vehicles weigh more than an equivalent diesel-powered van.

So, assuming that the designed and declared GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass, the maximum the vehicle can weigh including payload, driver, the lot) is the same on both vans, the payload a zero emissions van can take is usually less.

But, most businesses considering buying or leasing an electric van want as much range as possible between charges, so manufacturers are tempted to offer bigger batteries. There’s the snag, the payload is reduced further.

We’ve talked about this in more detail in our post on electric vans with the longest range here.

Car/Goods Vehicle Licence Derogation

Most of us who have passed a passenger car driving test have a category B licence. This also allows us to drive a goods vehicle with a GVM of up to 3,500kg (for example, your large Ford Transit or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter).

Typically, with a diesel engine, these vans have a payload of well over 1,000kgs, sometimes closer to 1,400kgs. But, with an electric drivetrain and a battery pack capable of giving a reasonable range, this plummets to well under 1,000kgs, making the vans impractical for many operators.

Recognising this, in 2018, the government introduced a scheme, or derogation, which allowed category B licence holders to drive an electric van with a GVM of up to 4,250kg GVM.

Usually, this upgrade will add little or no weight to the unladen van, so an instant extra 750kgs of payload is on offer, making a large electric van a much more attractive proposition.

It’s not just about driving licences though

But things are not quite so simple.

The driver must undertake 5 hours of additional training; they can only drive the vehicle to transport goods, and a trailer cannot be towed. In addition, as the van has a GVM of over 3,500kgs, it falls under the HGV testing scheme rather than a standard Class 7 MOT.

This requires a test on the vehicle’s first birthday (rather than its third), and it would need to be taken to an HGV test station (there are only 500 compared to 6,400 Class 7 facilities) – and test fees are substantially higher!

Any goods vehicle above 3,500kg GVM is covered by driver hours and tachograph regulations. There are some exemptions, such as vehicles operating within a 100km radius from its base, but, for most operators:

  • a tachograph would need to be installed
  • a record kept of the driver’s hours
  • the driver would be restricted to the same working hours as a truck driver
  • a daily driving limit of 9 hours
  • a weekly restriction of 56 hours
  • and mandatory rest breaks

The vehicles must also have a 56mph speed limiter fitted and in operation.

There’s been much government lobbying from manufacturers, operators, and industry bodies to lift these restrictions, allowing the zero emission vans to operate seamlessly alongside their diesel-powered siblings.

Whilst the driving licence dispensation is welcomed, there is a sense that less than half a job has been done and, for the majority of van users, the other restrictions mean that a large electric van with a decent payload is, at present, off the table when considering new vehicles.

Manufacturers, under financial pressure to achieve an increasing number of electric vehicle registrations under the government’s Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, claim that, until legislation is changed, the large electric van market will remain unfairly stifled.

So, what next?

The government has issued a consultation document entitled ‘Zero emission vans: regulatory flexibility’, which acknowledges the challenges faced.

It summarises proposed changes to the legislation and is intended to solicit opinion and debate from those involved, from manufacturers to operators and drivers.

The document has questions that can be responded to, some aimed specifically at vehicle operators, manufacturers, test centres or all respondents. It states that a summary of responses and a government reply will be published at a later date.

Zero Emissions Van Mandate Changes

There are some key changes being pushed for. That 4.25t electric vans should come under the MOT testing scheme rather than the HGV one, the zero emissions vehicles being treated the same as a 3.5t GVM diesel van, and that the first test should be on the vehicle’s third birthday.

The vehicles would be removed from the driver’s hours and tachograph rules that apply to HGVs, thereby bringing operation in line with 3.5t GVM diesel vans.

There is no proposed change to the speed limiter requirement, but as some manufacturers fit restrictors to other electric vans to ensure that the range available is optimised, this is unlikely to be challenged.

There has already been a hint that the driver training requirement for 4.25t vans may be dropped.

Large Van Operators – Get Your Ducks In A Row

The transition to electric vans is coming to all eventually.

Those who are embracing this and introducing the vehicles to their operations as and when they will work for them, will find a gradual move much smoother, than those who resist change until they have no choice.

The large van user is the one that has the biggest challenge to face (for reasons already explained).

But, with the latest zero emissions goods vehicles having an excellent range, there is scope even before any positive legislation changes for large electric vans to be introduced to a small business or fleet operator.

Do you carry volume or weight? – If primarily volume, you may well find that a 3.5t GVM electric van will have sufficient payload for your needs, and you’ll be able to operate without any of the restrictions currently applicable to the larger van.

Do you operate close to home? – If you work within a radius of 100km, you won’t need a tachograph on your 4.25t GVM electric van or to work under the HGV driver hours regulations.

Although the current restrictions are not particularly operator-friendly, operating an electric van will almost certainly have substantially lower running costs than a diesel equivalent – and this factor should be taken into account.

And, if and when the proposed legislation changes are actioned, they will apply to your existing vehicles, the tachograph will no longer be required, and overnight, things will become just that bit simpler.

What vans are currently available at the higher weight?

Most van manufacturers are now offering their large electric vans at 4.25t GVM, providing the maximum payload possible.

Some, such as Mercedes-Benz with their Sprinter van, allow you to select from a choice of battery pack sizes, so you can optimise range, payload, or balance the two.

Renault has recently launched the all new Master E-Tech, a van that has won many awards already, and the Ford E-Transit has recently been revised, with an optional extended range option.

Also consider the Maxus eDeliver9, and the Stellantis stable offers products from Peugeot, Fiat, Citroen and Vauxhall.

Financing Your Zero Emissions Van – The Options

Unfortunately, all these new regulations that are being forced upon van operators come at a cost – buying the van in the first place!

When it comes to getting the keys to a new electric van, thankfully there are several finance options that can make it more manageable.

Finance Lease – this flexible option is particularly attractive for businesses looking to manage their VAT and avoid mileage restrictions.

Contract Hire – if you’re looking for simplicity and predictability in your payments, contract hire might be the best option.

Hire Purchase – for those who ultimately want to own their electric van, hire purchase is the correct choice.

Ask the Evangate FS team to explain the financing options available when you speak with us.

If you are not ready to jump into a new electric van just yet, you can always still pick up a Euro 6 low emissions van, or find more about the benefits of light commercial vehicle leases in our guide.

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