The need for additional training to drive zero-emission vans weighing up to 4.25t is to be removed, the UK Government has said.

Under a derogation, electric LCVs are allowed to weigh up to 4.25t, rather than the usual 3.5t for ICE vehicles, to account for the extra weight of batteries.

However, until now there has been a requirement for extra driver training to be carried out before a 3.5-4.25t vehicle could be driven.

The government said it was laying secondary legislation before Parliament to enable standard category B licence holders to be able to drive zero-emission vehicles up to 4.25t, with the change expected to come into force in Spring, subject to Parliamentary approval.

The government has also confirmed the further year’s extension for the Plug-in Van Grant which was announced in October’s Budget.

The scheme provides grants of up to £2,500 towards purchases of zero-emission vans weighing up to 2.5t, and up to £5,000 for such vans weighing up to 4.25t.

The scheme, which is said to have supported more than 80,000 vehicle purchases since its launch, had only previously been confirmed for the 2024-25 financial year.

A spokesperson for the Zero Emission Van Plan, a coalition which includes the BVRLA, Logistics UK, the REA and its EV forum REcharge UK, the Association of Fleet Professionals, and The EV Café, said: “Vans are the workhorses of the UK economy and growing their share of the UK vehicle parc every year. For the UK to deliver cleaner, greener road transport solutions, the van sector needs to be front of mind.

“It is encouraging to see policymakers starting to take the transition to zero-emission vans more seriously. Today marks a positive step forward but there remains a long way to go. Electric van registrations are far short of where they need to be, a host of regulatory barriers remain.

“We have been in constant contact with decision makers to reinforce the case for vans. The ongoing consultation, into the need for further regulatory flexibilities, presents another key milestone where we need to see positive progress. It is good to see the government taking action. Now we must make sure we accelerate further and faster.”