THE HAGUE – Drivers of heavy electric trucks can continue driving for a year longer with a Class B driving licence, according to outgoing Minister (Infrastructure) Mark Harpers.

From July 1, they will need a C driver’s license for trucks, but Harbers wants to extend the current tolerance status by a year. After that, Brussels will likely come up with adequate legislation for heavy vehicles. This only concerns drivers who purchased a heavy truck before October 1st of last year.

The ministry wants to encourage the use of electric trucks, because they are better for the climate and cause less air pollution, especially in inner cities. But because of the batteries, buses of similar size are often heavier than gasoline-powered buses.

“If you’re investing in a sustainable, zero-emission commercial vehicle, you don’t want to have to make all kinds of conversions before you can get on the road,” says Harpers. “For entrepreneurs who have already invested, these barriers have remained above the market for a long time.”

At the end of last year, Harpers announced the end of the tolerance period, leading to criticism from organizations such as VNO-NCW and Transport & Logistiek Nederland (TLN). They felt that the tolerance scheme was being phased out too quickly.