Shortage of workshops capable of electric van MOT testing

A shortage of test stations capable of MOT testing heavy electric vans has led fleet operators to call for action.

To allow for the weight of their batteries, electric vans weighing up to 4.25 tonnes are subject to a derogation which puts them in the light commercial vehicle classification for driving licence requirements, to ensure van operators can switch from ICE to electric vehicles.

However, for MOT test purposes, this special category of vans is treated as a heavy goods vehicle (HGV), meaning that it has to be MOT tested after one year rather than the third year first MOT for LCVs and cars, and also faces a more rigorous examination.

A freedom of information request led the DVSA to reveal in 2024 that only 2% of DVSA test centres can conduct MOTs on 4.25 tonne electric vehicles (EVs).

There were only 563 privately-operated Authorised Test Facilities (ATFs) and five DVSA-run Goods Vehicle Test Stations (GVTSs) which can carry out the yearly MOT tests for electric vans weighing more than 3.5t, as of May 1, 2024. 

This compared to 23,000 test centres in the UK, representing just 2% of test centres.

DVSA is currently "only accepting a limited number of applications" from companies which want to become an ATF. ATFs are still manned by DVSA testers.

The lack of test availability has led to calls from the Association of Fleet Operators for a special deferral of the requirement for testing heavy electric vans after one year. Some AFP members reported that they may have to take vehicles off the road because they cannot book tests in good time.

At Venson Automotive Solutions, which submitted the FOI request to DVSA last year, operations director Lee O’Neill said 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.

O'Neill said: “With no DVSA data existing on MOTs for these vehicles, and an obvious lack of testing facilities, how did Government ever expect 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.”