The Association of Fleet Operators (AFP) is advocating for a deferral of MOTs for 4.25t electric vans after fleet operators reported difficulties in booking tests.
These vans, categorised as heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), require testing at one year old rather than three, and face a more rigorous examination process.
Speedy Hire fleet and logistics director Aaron Powell stated that the company might need to take several vehicles off the road.
Powell said: “These 4.25t vans require a Class 7 HGV MOT test and, between generally poor capacity for HGV testing and few test centres being able to handle electric vehicles, we are finding it impossible on a practical level to book tests.”
Over the past three months, the company’s lease provider has struggled to secure garages capable of conducting pre-tests and locating available test slots, with limited success.
This ongoing challenge is expected to impact operations, as vehicles will need to be temporarily taken off the road.
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Powell anticipates that other fleet operators are facing similar disruptions.
AFP vice chair Lorna McAtear said: “As an organisation and at an individual member level, we’re very much focussed on safety and of course recognise the role that the MOT test plays in ensuring that vehicles operated by fleets are in a roadworthy condition.”
However, she questioned the necessity of HGV tests for 4.25t electric vans, arguing that these vehicles are essentially 3.5t vans with larger batteries.
McAtear expressed the need for government intervention, suggesting a temporary dispensation similar to measures taken during the pandemic.
She suggested the government consider allowing “fleets to defer tests for a period of perhaps six or 12 months on 4.25 tonners for the first and second year of testing, giving them time to find and book testing facilities”.
McAtear noted that discussions between the Office for Zero Emissions, Driver Vehicle Standards Authority, and Department for Transport aim to resolve these issues, but progress is slow.
In October, AFP revealed its plans to launch a Fleet Intelligence Consultancy service aimed at addressing the growing need for specialised fleet management expertise.
