The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has indicated it will review potential changes to the MOT test following new rules proposed by the European Commission (EC) aimed at improving safety standards for electric vehicles and modern driver assistance systems.
The EC has announced a package of proposed changes to overhaul road safety rules concerning the periodic technical inspection (PTI) of vehicles, which is the equivalent of the UK’s annual MOT test. The EC states that current regulations, largely aligned with MOT requirements due to the UK’s previous EU membership, are outdated and “no longer sufficient to keep up with the rapid progress in vehicle technology.”
In response to the technological advancements in new vehicles, the EC is proposing the introduction of specific periodic inspections for electric cars, as well as new tests for electronic driver safety systems (ADAS). According to a Commission statement, existing testing methods have not adapted to the advancements and increasing use of technologies such as ADAS and electric vehicles.
Key elements of the proposed new PTI regime in Europe include adaptations to annual/periodic tests to ensure their suitability for EVs, and the monitoring of the ongoing effectiveness of driver assistance systems through software integrity testing. The EC also intends to enhance the scope and effectiveness of emissions testing and improve the PTI’s ability to detect tampered vehicle software.
Here in the UK, the Department for Transport stated that it “continually reviews the MoT system in Great Britain to ensure road safety and environmental standards are maintained. Any proposals for the European Union will be reviewed.”
Source: Auto Express
