Minister Reportedly Aims to Allow Standard Licenses for Heavier Electric Vans

Iceland's Ministry for Infrastructure is reviewing a regulatory change that could significantly ease the transition to electric vehicles for commercial use. The proposed amendment would permit drivers with standard licenses to operate electric vans weighing up to 4.25 tons, a category currently requiring a heavier vehicle license.

This issue stems from the classification of electric vehicles. While diesel vans in the N1 and N2 categories, such as the Fiat Ducato or Ford Transit, can be driven with a regular license, their electric counterparts often exceed the 3.5-ton limit due to battery weight. This creates a barrier for businesses looking to electrify their fleets of medium-sized vans.

Industry representatives, like Pétur Kristján Þorgrímsson, managing director of ÍSBAND, have been in discussions with the ministry and the Icelandic Transport Authority for over a year. They agree that the current regulation needs adjustment to align with European Union directives already implemented in Iceland. Despite these discussions and recent minor revisions to the driving license regulations, the specific change needed to accommodate these heavier electric vehicles has not yet been enacted.

Both the Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise and the Federation of the Automotive Industry have formally requested the regulatory change. While a written response from the minister's assistant suggests a move towards implementing the EU directive, the lack of concrete action has drawn criticism. The delay is seen as a significant obstacle to electrifying Iceland's commercial vehicle sector.

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Our excellent state apparatus determined some time ago that it was difficult to electrify medium-sized vans, i.e., vans in the so-called N1 and N2 categories, but examples of such vehicles are FIAT Ducato, Ford Transit, Renault Master, etc. To drive these vehicles with a diesel engine, only a general driving license is needed, but when the same vehicle becomes an electric car, it is heavier and exceeds the 3.5-ton category, requiring drivers with advanced driving licenses.