Venson has backed fleet sector calls for an official deferral on electric van MOTs as it warns that just 2% of DVSA centres can test 4.25-tonne EVs.

4.25-tonne electric vans are treated as HGVs for MOTs and have to use the heavy vehicle testing system

A Freedom of Information request to the DVSA by Venson in 2024 revealed there were only 563 Authorised Test Facilities (ATFs) and five DVSA Goods Vehicle Test Stations (GVTS) able to carry out MOT tests for electric vans weighing more than 3.5 tonnes, as of 1 May 2024. This compares to 23,000 test centres in the UK and underscores the lack of MOT test availability for larger vans.

The Association of Fleet Operators (AFP) has already called for an official deferral of MOTs on 4.25-tonne electric vans after some fleets reported finding tests “impossible” to book. Such vehicles are still classed as heavy goods vehicles for MOT test purposes and require the first MOT test one year after first registration, rather than three years for a 3.5-tonne van. But with few test centres able to handle electric vehicles, operators have been left unable to book tests and forced to take vehicles off the road.

Venson Automotive Solutions said the issue is compounded by a severe lack of visibility of the key data needed for government to effectively plan for the MOTs of these vehicles, highlighting a critical gap in infrastructure readiness.

Lee O’Neill, operations director, remarked: “As well as highlighting a lack of test centres, the DVSA holds no data on historic and current lead times on MOTs for electric vans weighing 3.5 tonnes or above or how many have had an MOT already carried out. According to the DVSA, this data is only held by the Authorised Test Facilities.”

O’Neill added that while fleets face the prospect of having to take these vans off the road, doubts remain over whether 4.25-tonne electric vans require HGV tests.

Such vehicles were only introduced to provide fleets with an electric equivalent of a 3.5-tonne van, compensating for the additional weight of the powertrain, in particular the battery.

And the Government’s current consultation on ‘Zero emission vans regulatory flexibility’, open until 3 March 2025, explores transferring this category of vehicles away from the heavy vehicle testing system to the MOT network, using the tests in place for 3.0-tonne to 3.5-tonne goods vehicles.

With a “lack of key data” and “an obvious lack of testing facilities”, O’Neill asked how the Government ever expected to plan for scheduled testing.

“Let’s hope the AFP’s call for special dispensation allowing fleets to defer testing is successful to avoid those businesses supporting UK environmental targets by going electric from suffering commercially.”

A DVSA spokesperson said: “We do not recognise the figures which are being circulated for the number of testing sites for electric vans.

“Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes should be tested at Authorised Testing Facilities. There are 563 such facilities, and 5 DVSA Goods Vehicle Test Stations, throughout Great Britain which can test vehicles above 3,500kg, including electric-powered vehicles.”

DVSA said the 2% figure appears to rely on including 23,000 MOT garages which carry out MOTs under a different scheme for light vehicles. These locations specifically provide MOT tests for cars, bikes and vans weighing 3.5 tonnes and under. They are also not DVSA sites. On 15 May 2024, in response to an FOI request, DVSA confirmed that all 563 ATFs and DVSA’s fie Goods Vehicle Testing Station sites should be able to test vehicles above 3.5 tonnes, including electric-powered vehicles.