Scarcity of workshops able to electrical van MOT testing
A scarcity of check stations able to MOT testing heavy electrical vans has led fleet operators to name for motion.
To permit for the load of their batteries, electrical vans weighing as much as 4.25 tonnes are topic to a derogation which places them within the mild business automobile classification for driving licence necessities, to make sure van operators can change from ICE to electrical automobiles.
Nonetheless, for MOT check functions, this particular class of vans is handled as a heavy items automobile (HGV), which means that it must be MOT examined after one yr reasonably than the third yr first MOT for LCVs and vehicles, and likewise faces a extra rigorous examination.
A freedom of data request led the DVSA to disclose in 2024 that solely 2% of DVSA check centres can conduct MOTs on 4.25 tonne electrical automobiles (EVs).
There have been solely 563 privately-operated Authorised Take a look at Services (ATFs) and 5 DVSA-run Items Automobile Take a look at Stations (GVTSs) which may perform the yearly MOT exams for electrical vans weighing greater than 3.5t, as of Could 1, 2024.
This in comparison with 23,000 check centres within the UK, representing simply 2% of check centres.
DVSA is at present “solely accepting a restricted variety of functions” from firms which need to turn out to be an ATF. ATFs are nonetheless manned by DVSA testers.
The shortage of check availability has led to calls from the Affiliation of Fleet Operators for a particular deferral of the requirement for testing heavy electrical vans after one yr. Some AFP members reported that they could should take automobiles off the street as a result of they can’t guide exams in good time.
At Venson Automotive Options, which submitted the FOI request to DVSA final yr, operations director Lee O’Neill stated the DVSA holds no information on historic and present lead instances on MOTs for electrical vans weighing 3.5 tonnes or above or what number of have had an MOT already carried out.
O’Neill stated: “With no DVSA information current on MOTs for these automobiles, and an apparent lack of testing services, how did Authorities ever count on to plan for scheduled testing?
“Let’s hope the AFP’s name for particular dispensation permitting fleets to defer testing, is profitable to keep away from these companies, supporting UK environmental targets by going electrical, from struggling commercially.”
