Govt change to licences to allow driving heavier vans ...

[Minxy]

Interesting ...

 

[sallylillian]

Excellent, an extra 750kg to carry 740kg of batteries, at xxxx grand. Too generous.

 

[Minxy]

Yes but ... I wonder it this will eventually lead to other vans being permitted to carry up to 4250kg (ie not 'green' ones), this would certainly help a lot in the MH world as there would be no need to get (or keep) a C1 for most.

 

[MillieMoocher]

I think it’s a positive step...the powers that be at least recognising that unless they did something like this, alternative fuel vans would simply never happen. Given the number of vans in our cities, a move down alternative fuel route would help the immediate pollution hotspot.

 

[busby]

Yes but ... I wonder it this will eventually lead to other vans being permitted to carry up to 4250kg (ie not 'green' ones), this would certasinly help a lot in the MH world as there would be no need to get (or keep) a C1 for most.

Would very much doubt it..They are only doing it with Electric vehicles to adhere to total emission targets,,,BUSBY,,

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[funflair]

Yes but ... I wonder it this will eventually lead to other vans being permitted to carry up to 4250kg (ie not 'green' ones), this would certainly help a lot in the MH world as there would be no need to get (or keep) a C1 for most.

I doubt it very much.

Martin

 

[Snowbird]

I really do not see how an electric motorhome is going to be much use to anyone.

 

[funflair]

I really do not see how an electric motorhome is going to be much use to anyone.

Its not but a hybrid would qualify as well, just hook a battery up to the Telma retarder

Martin

 

[DavidG58]

I really do not see how an electric motorhome is going to be much use to anyone.

I would agree totally, but having had a few hybrids, mainly Mercs with normal diesel engine and battery pack, that combination makes sense, only uses batteries when they have power, so no problems starting or with long distance, but mine gave massive fuel benefits, 3.0 Merc diesels returning 60mpg and weighing over 2 tons

must be options for MH's to have much larger leisure battery packs that can then also support the engine power in the way my Hybrids have

 

[Larby]

So my 30 yr old son will be competent enough to drive a 4.25 tonne Transit but not a MH weighing the same? So emissions have become more important than the need of weight restricted licences ?

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[Geo]

So my 30 yr old son will be competent enough to drive a 4.25 tonne Transit but not a MH weighing the same? So emissions have become more important than the need of weight restricted licences ?

Yes that's quite right BUT
The new electric and hybrid vehicles will have electric stun mode like a tazer
designed to stun the pedestrians on the point of impact thereby lessening
the pain from the extra weight when run over

 

[sallylillian]

So my 30 yr old son will be competent enough to drive a 4.25 tonne Transit but not a MH weighing the same? So emissions have become more important than the need of weight restricted licences ?

Valid point and makes a mockery of some driving laws. Speeding similar, my grandson who has 1 year driving experience can do the same speed as me on a motorway in a clapped out Morris 1000 with drum brakes!

 

[nicholsong]

It is only UK law they are changing but to get a change to the Vienna Convention might be impossible, so one could not drive the higher weights outside UK.

Geoff

 

[gus-lopez]

Yes but ... I wonder it this will eventually lead to other vans being permitted to carry up to 4250kg (ie not 'green' ones), this would certainly help a lot in the MH world as there would be no need to get (or keep) a C1 for most.

I would not have thought that once implemented that they would have a leg to stand on if someone implemented a legal challenge asking why it is not open to all vehicles regardless of fuel.
To state that it has a higher kerb weight & so reduced load capacity is obvious but still doesn't get away from the fact that they are trying to differentiate between two vehicle s that are identical apart from motive power & making the licence laws even more ridiculous. If it weighs 4,25T That's it . How can someone driving the electric one be more legal than someone driving the same weight petrol/diesel. Ludicrous. They really should be taken out & shot some of these scum we pay to run the place.

 

[pappajohn]

Yes but ... I wonder it this will eventually lead to other vans being permitted to carry up to 4250kg (ie not 'green' ones), this would certainly help a lot in the MH world as there would be no need to get (or keep) a C1 for most.

It'll never happen Minxy.
That will cancel the reason for allowing it on green vehicles only then sales will slump.

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[pappajohn]

Valid point and makes a mockery of some driving laws. Speeding similar, my grandson who has 1 year driving experience can do the same speed as me on a motorway in a clapped out Morris 1000 with drum brakes!

You don't drive very fast then....

 

[sallylillian]

You don't drive very fast then....

Corse not guv!

 

[Northernraider]

They just make it up as they go along and ultimately it's meant to generate the government money. ..more than it's too do with emmisions.


And regarding the driving and safety etc that's full of holes too

Someone learns to drive at 17 and as long as they can afford to insure it they are not restricted on the power of a car

Someone learns to ride a bike at 17 and has to be restricted till 24

Bike carries 1 possibly 2 people and in an accident woukd do less damage than a car that's potentially carrying 5 , 7 people


Madness

 

[jdk62]

I really do not see how an electric motorhome is going to be much use to anyone.

I’ve only got a 25m mains lead.......

 

[nicholsong]

So are the chassis manufacturers going to have to start churning out more maxi chassis with increased suspension and braking to meet Construction and Use regs.?

Will they eventually only manufacture those?

If so how will MH converters keep under 3500 kgs for those with no C1?

I wonder if the poiticians have really consulted enough and thought it out. Have VOSA commented?

We wait.

Geoff

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[Dorset Diver]

Can't be fair that a 70 year old without a C1 can only be safe to drive up to 3500 kgs diesel powered but if it's powered is safe up to 4250 kgs.

 

[Teuchter]

Valid point and makes a mockery of some driving laws. Speeding similar, my grandson who has 1 year driving experience can do the same speed as me on a motorway in a clapped out Morris 1000 with drum brakes!

I know how to soup up his "moggie 1000" and fit discs brakes to it

 

[Minxy]

If this goes ahead the ONLY way would be if all licences allowed driving vehicles up to 4250kg regardless of what the vehicle is, anything else would make it a nightmare to try to 'police' it not to mention how the insurance and breakdown companies would deal with it!

 

[Al-Di]

I know how to soup up his "moggie 1000" and fit discs brakes to it

been there done that, did it before owen burton nicked the idea,

 

[pappajohn]

I’ve only got a 25m mains lead.......

So drive in circles.....ever decreasing of course.

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[pappajohn]

been there done that, did it before owen burton nicked the idea,

Bloke I used to know shoved a 3.5 Rover V8 and auto box in his.
You could only tell by the burbling exhaust note.

 

[pappajohn]

If so how will MH converters keep under 3500 kgs for those with no C1?

They'll ensure the gross weight is under 3500kg and register it as such.
No law says they HAVE to allow a payload.

 

[Minxy]

They'll ensure the gross weight is under 3500kg and register it as such.
No law says they HAVE to allow a payload.

I gave you a 'funny' for that however in reality that's what some MH makers seems to be doing!

 

[Dare_Devil_Dennis]

If this is all true, it is a sick joke. I lost my C1 entitlement last year as I narrowly failed the more stringent eye test required for driving lorries and mini busses. (I had surgery to manage Glaucoma). I exceed the requirements for a "B" licence.

My explanation that as a retiree and never having driven a lorry or minibus, I did not need a licence for that. This fell on deaf ears and very patronisingly I was told it was all about public safety. I was forced to sell my 5 month old motorhome to replace it with a sub 3500kg motorhome so I could keep motor-homing.

Now to be advised that I will soon be able to drive a heavier motorhome as long as it is not powered by diesel or petrol just re-enforces my claim (disputed by the DVLA) that these leisure vehicles are in the wrong category for licensing. Now, in light of these new proposals, it can no longer be about public safety.

DOH!

 

[Teuchter]

been there done that, did it before owen burton nicked the idea,

Me too - used front legs (inc. discs) from uprated Marina - in line servo from Austin 1800 & a 1275 cc engine including twin SU carbs + manifold from a Riley or MG if I remember correctly - but it was 40 plus years ago!!

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