Exemption of certain N2 electric vehicles from the requirement to install and use a speed limitation device

PURPOSE: to amend Directive 92/6/EEC by introducing a targeted exemption for certain N2 category electric vehicles from the obligation to install and use a speed limitation device.

PROPOSED ACT: Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with the Council.

BACKGROUND: Article 3(1) of Council Directive 92/6/EEC on the installation and use of speed limitation devices for certain categories of vehicles requires the installation and use of speed limitation devices in vehicles of the category N2 and N3. Under that Article, such vehicles can be used on the road only if equipped with a speed limitation device. The installation requirement has been integrated into motor vehicle type-approval legislation with Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

Due to the weight of the battery, battery-electric light commercial vehicles might exceed a weight of 3,5 tonnes and are subject to the requirement to be equipped with speed limitation devices although they have the same payload and use case as light commercial vehicles with an internal combustion engine that are outside the scope of the Regulation (EU) 2019/2144. That requirement imposes unnecessary costs on vehicle manufacturers and enterprises purchasing such vehicles, slowing down the increase in the number of zero-emission light commercial vehicles. It is therefore appropriate to amend Directive 92/6/EEC accordingly with a view to exempting zero-emission vehicles of category N2 with maximum technically permissible laden mass between 3,5 and 4,25 tonnes from the requirement to be equipped with speed limitation devices.

Moreover, Regulation (EU) 2019/2144 is amended in parallel to exempt vehicles of category N2 propelled by means of electricity, with a maximum technically permissible laden mass between 3,5 and 4,25 tonnes, from the requirement to be equipped with speed limitation devices in accordance with UN Regulation No 89.

This proposal forms part of the Automotive Omnibus which aims to remove regulatory barriers that disproportionately affect electric vehicles, in particular in the light commercial and small passenger car segments. It is implemented through two parallel legislative proposals: this proposed Directive and a proposed Regulation.

CONTENT: therefore, the proposed Directive:

- amends Directive 92/6/EEC by introducing a targeted exemption for certain N2 category electric vehicles from the obligation to install and use a speed limitation device. The amendment reflects the specific technical characteristics and operational use of electric N2 vehicles, particularly in urban and short-distance transport. The objective is to remove disproportionate regulatory requirements, support the uptake of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, and ensure that speed limitation rules remain appropriate and effective. The exemption aims to facilitate the deployment of electric N2 vehicles while maintaining road safety and coherence with EU transport and climate policies.