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Driving Licences Zero Emission Vehicles 2025-04-02
02 April 2025
Lead MP
Mike Kane
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
DefenceEconomyTaxation
Other Contributors: 6
At a Glance
Mike Kane raised concerns about driving licences zero emission vehicles 2025-04-02 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Moves the draft regulations to support the transition to zero emission vehicles, reduce regulatory burden on businesses and drive economic growth. The UK was the largest electric car market in Europe in 2024 with a 42% increase in demand this year. Existing regulations represent an unnecessary barrier to switching to zero emission vehicles due to prohibitive training costs and time requirements. These new regulations enable category B licence holders to drive fully electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles up to 4.25 tonnes without additional requirements, except for minibuses which require the driver to be over 21 years old.
Luke Akehurst
Lab
North Durham
Asks for clarification on the types of vehicles covered by provisions for additional weight allowances for disabled users.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Appreciates sensible reforms but criticises the narrowing of scope from alternatively fuelled vehicles to zero emission vehicles. Worries that this will hamper innovation in sustainable fuels, such as synthetic fuels that could be carbon neutral.
Kit Malthouse
Con
North West Hampshire
Supports Greg Smith's concerns and provides an example of Zero Petroleum’s synthetic fuel technology, which is carbon-neutral but excluded due to the regulations focusing on zero emission vehicles rather than alternatively fuelled ones.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
Clarifies that the regulation mainly concerns weight and not internal combustion engines. Questions if synthetic fuels could result in additional vehicle weight, potentially disqualifying them from these regulations.
Mark Francois
Con
Rayleigh and Wickford
Mr Francois raised concerns about the increasing wait times for driving tests and requested the Minister to address this issue by combating bots that capture test slots. He highlighted extensive correspondence with the chief executive of DVSA.
Paul Kohler
LD
Wimbledon
Mr Kohler supported the restriction to zero emission vehicles but reminded the Government about the need for better EV charging infrastructure and restoring the plug-in grant. He questioned the removal of the five-hour training requirement, stressing that incentives should not compromise safety.
Government Response
Mr Kane responded to the debate by stating that the SI aims to support the transition to zero emission vehicles and does not disadvantage e-fuels or synthetic fuels. He clarified that fewer than 30 natural gas or biogas vehicles are currently on the road, and promised to address any issues related to driving licences raised earlier.
Shadow Response
Greg Smith
Shadow Response
Raises concerns about the narrowing of scope for eligible vehicles to zero emission only, impacting synthetic fuel technologies and innovators. Critiques the regulations for not being technology-neutral.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
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