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MOT changes coming for heavier electric vans
The Government has (finally) announced plans to change the MOT rules for heavier electric vans weighing 3.5-4.25 tonnes.
Words by: Tom Roberts
Published on 28 November 2025 | 0 min read
It’s about time! The Government has confirmed plans to change the rules around the type of MOTs heavier electric vans require.
As it stands right now, heavier electric vans that weigh up to 4.25 tonnes are classed by the Government as light commercial vehicles (the normal weight limit is 3.5 tonnes). The battery packs in electric vans are very heavy, adding a lot of weight, and therefore requiring a higher weight limit to stay classed as a light commercial vehicle (LCV). But that classification as an LCV did not extend to the types of MOTs these heavier electric vans would face, as they were classed as heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and subjected to the same stringent tests as lorries. Which makes no sense when the diesel version of a large van gets tested as an LCV and the electric version is tested as an HGV.
As it stands right now, heavier electric vans that weigh up to 4.25 tonnes are classed by the Government as light commercial vehicles (the normal weight limit is 3.5 tonnes). The battery packs in electric vans are very heavy, adding a lot of weight, and therefore requiring a higher weight limit to stay classed as a light commercial vehicle (LCV). But that classification as an LCV did not extend to the types of MOTs these heavier electric vans would face, as they were classed as heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and subjected to the same stringent tests as lorries. Which makes no sense when the diesel version of a large van gets tested as an LCV and the electric version is tested as an HGV.
Rule changes are coming
We’re now at the point where consultation on any changes have finished… after what seems like years… and changes are being planned in. The Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed the following:
- Electric vans weighing 3.5-4.25 tonnes will be moved into the same MOT category (class seven) that all normal light commercial vehicles weighing 3.0-3.5 tonnes currently sit in. Proper legislation is still required to get these changes in place, but we imagine now the consultation is over, and the DfT has said it wants to make the changes, legislation will get pushed through.
- Electric vans weighing 3.5-4.25 tonnes will be moved into the same MOT category (class seven) that all normal light commercial vehicles weighing 3.0-3.5 tonnes currently sit in. Proper legislation is still required to get these changes in place, but we imagine now the consultation is over, and the DfT has said it wants to make the changes, legislation will get pushed through.
Final thoughts
It’s nice to see that (eventually) the Government will listen and take action on a serious matter that is causing all sorts of problems for fleets and businesses trying to adopt large electric vans. Downtime for them was not just being caused by charging the vans, it was being caused by the huge waiting lists for HGV MOTs that their electric LCVs didn’t need. Sense has prevailed and the organisations campaigning for this change can pat themselves on the back for a job well done!
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