Category B derogation consultation review

This was to mitigate impacts on vehicle payloads owing to the increased weight of batteries and other alternative fuels compared to petrol and diesel engines, while still allowing the vehicle to be driven on a standard driving licence.  

DEROGATION TO REMAIN

Logistics UK welcomed the original derogation which supported operators who wanted to decarbonise their van fleets without imposing additional administrative or cost burdens from reduced payload or additional category C or C1 licence acquisition. Following discussions with Logistics UK and industry, the government confirmed in August 2022 that it had no plans to remove the derogation and published a consultation reviewing areas of it.   

BARRIERS TO UPTAKE 

However, van operators have reported barriers to uptake under the current rules of the derogation, including the five hours’ mandatory classroom training that have to be undertaken before the derogation can be utilised, as well as the prohibition of towing a trailer using an AFV between 3.5 tonnes and 4.25 tonnes.   

The safety of all road users is a top priority for Logistics UK members, and the business group campaigns for enhancement and improvements to the already-stringent regulations that support safe road freight operations. However, given that recent driving licence entitlement changes mean that category B drivers can already operate conventionally fuelled vehicle and trailer combinations over the AFV derogation’s 4.5 tonne limit without additional training, and that there are no known stability or safety issues, Logistics UK says it seems unnecessary to introduce a higher level of requirements simply because of the vehicle’s propulsion technology.  

Logistics UK members have made it very clear that current legislation already places responsibilities on operators to ensure drivers can competently and safely use AFVs and do not agree that a voluntary accreditation is necessary either, an option proposed in the consultation.  

DECARBONISATION IN THE SLOW LANE 

The original derogation’s aim to encourage more van operators to move away from fossil fuels has not been realised as hoped for. Demand has been lower than expected due to the way the derogation was set up, which has in turn negatively impacted vehicle manufacturers’ investment in vehicle development of heavier alternatively fuelled vans. 

Therefore, Logistics UK has welcomed the consultation and supports the proposals to remove the mandatory five hours’ training requirement and to allow all AFVs up to 4.25 tonnes to tow a trailer up to seven tonnes maximum authorised mass (MAM). The business group has also supported the expansion of the derogation to other alternatively fuelled vehicle types as this will simplify and streamline driver vehicle allocation, especially for the construction and events sectors that use specialist vehicles and people carriers, as well as equipment.  

BROADENING DEFINITIONS OF AFVS 

The consultation also looked at the definition of eligible alternative fuels, something that Logistics UK is keen to maintain. Continuing to include low carbon fuels in the definition will allow significant greenhouse gas emission savings to be made by operators that cannot fully electrify – and give them the confidence to invest in vehicles that can use low carbon fuels – until the market can provide appropriate zero emission vehicles.  

Denise Beedell, Senior Policy Manager, Logistics UK, said: “With challenging decarbonisation deadlines for the van sector, it is vital that the derogation, with these amendments, must be urgently and permanently incorporated into law, to provide greater confidence for manufacturers and van fleet operators to make the necessary investments to this important part of the van sector.”  

*www.logistics.org.uk/van

Published On: 08/12/2022 16:00:46

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