insight GOING ELECTRIC
Government moves to ease switch to electric
The government is proposing to allow category B licence holders to drive a heavier vehicle – if it is powered by a low emission technology. Electric or gas powered vehicles are typically heavier than their diesel/petrol counterparts, thus cutting payload. The proposal would take the weight limit from 3.5-tonnes to 4.25-tonnes. The government is also proposing a
similar exemption from operator licensing requirements for “alternatively-fuelled vans used for own account haulage”.
“This would help operators to avoid
becoming subject to the full operator licensing regime if they invest in cleaner but slightly heavier vans,” said transport minister Jesse Norman. “Simultaneously, we need to ensure
that vehicles with cleaner powertrains are run and operated on our roads safely, so we are proposing to correct a regulatory anomaly, which means that electric vans are currently exempt from MOT testing.” The proposals are now open for public
consultation. Bigger crowds expected as technology
showcase celebrates 10th anniversary agenda-setting role of the event. Each year the event has grown, with
Millbrook in Bedfordshire will once again be the setting for the Low Carbon Vehicle (LCV) Event this year – the tenth. LCV2017 is taking place 6–7
September and organisers Cenex – the UK’s first centre of excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies – expects it will attract more than 3,000 attendees. Since 2008, Cenex has worked with
government agencies and organisations to help make the LCV Event a technology showcase for UK capabilities in low carbon vehicles, and to advance the
more and more unveilings and launches taking place, solidifying the Cenex-LCV Event as the UK’s premier technology- showcasing and networking event for the UK and international low carbon vehicle community. Last year’s event achieved an impressive 245% total increase in visitor and exhibitor attendance compared to the very first event in 2008. Registration for the two-day event is
free of charge and can be completed at:
www.cenex-lcv.co.uk
Cenex takes control of EV chargepoint registry
Cenex – the “centre of excellence for low carbon technologies” – is to develop and maintain the national electric vehicle chargepoint registry (NCR). It will work in partnership with green energy software systems specialist Apetrel Systems and the project is funded by the UK government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV). Cenex says upgrades to the NCR will
help to ensure that the information on chargepoints in the UK is accurate and up-to-date, and will allow developers to build mapping and journey planning applications using the best available data. The NCR was established in 2011 to
provide a freely available database of publicly-accessible chargepoints across the UK. The NCR currently holds data provided by chargepoint operators on chargepoints’ location, compatibility, and hours of operation. The NCR can be accessed at http://national-charge-point- registry.
MAPS AND APPS
Several mapping tools and apps use the NCR data to help EV drivers find charging facilities. These include: ECARNI which shows chargepoints in Northern Ireland GREENER SCOTLAND shows Scottish EV chargers PLUGSURFING covers EV charging locations across Europe OPEN CHARGE MAP shows chargepoints both in the UK and globally MITSUBISHI MOTORS allows users to find compatible points for its plug-in hybrids
THE NEW MOTION is a charge card and app-based service providing access to a European network ZAP-MAP provides coverage of UK chargepoints with search and route planning features.
The future of fuel stations? Going further... the new Kangoo ZE – see p15 12 VanUser August 2017
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