License regulations are being relaxed for some drivers of alternatively-fuelled vans and the FTA has announced that it welcomes this good news. “FTA is delighted the government has listened to the logistics industry and taken this positive step to make it easier for transport and freight companies to operate electric vehicles,” says FTA environment policy manager, Becki Kite.
This change comes after the government’s announcement that it will seek EU agreement to allow drivers possessing category B licences to drive alternatively-fuelled vans with a heavier weight.
It has been found that electric and hybrid vans are heavier than their comparable counterparts due to having to carry a large battery pack. Currently, those with category B licences are permitted to drive vans with a weight of up to 3.5 tonnes and this is set to change to 4.25 tonnes to accommodate the battery size.
Kite believes the licensing change will help to encourage the use of alternatively-fuelled vehicles. She explains that it will “make it cheaper and easier for firms to include alternatively-powered vehicles in their fleets. It is an excellent example of how the government can use regulatory adjustments to help our industry implement more energy-efficient working practices.”
Likewise, Kite highlights that companies will no longer be penalised for using alternatively-fuelled vehicles. “The heavier weights of these vehicles mean they have often been inaccessible for van operators who do not have an operator licence or the appropriately trained drivers.
“For firms with the appropriate operator licence, the additional regulation still meant extra cost in implementing appropriate compliance policies and recruiting additional drivers. Now they will be able to absorb these vehicles easily into their current working practices,” concludes Kite.
