The European Commission (EC) has proposed new rules to enhance safety for electric vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
Under these new rules, technical inspections in the EU – akin to the UK’s MOT – will include more rigorous inspections for EVs and ADAS.
The European Commission explained that current rules around these annual checks are “no longer sufficient to keep up with the rapid progress in vehicle technology”.
It continued: “Current testing methods have not been adapted to advances and roll-out of new technologies, such as advanced driver assistance features, and electric vehicles.”
Commissioner for sustainable transport and tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, said: “By modernising our roadworthiness rules we are harnessing the latest technology, strengthening enforcement, and ensuring they keep pace with the evolving realities of mobility.”
The proposal is now being reviewed by the European Parliament and council. Should it be accepted, the work will begin to organise the implementation of new practises across the EU.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has said that it will consider the EU updates, stating that it “continually reviews the MOT system to ensure road safety and environmental standards are maintained. Any proposals for the European Union will be reviewed”
Most recently, the UK government had considered reviewing the frequency of MOTs for new vehicles. Currently, new light vehicles are required to have their first MOT within three years of purchase. Among other things, the review investigated whether this could be pushed back to four years. The consultation in January of last year resulted in no changes to the MOT frequency following concerns around roadworthiness and safety.
