Add power generation to MOT for EVs demand drivers

10 February 2021  

45% of car owners believe the MOT should eventually consider how the electricity used to charge an EV has been generated, with the figure rising to 51% among owners of cars less than three years old, a new survey from Kwik Fit has found.

The current MOT registers zero emissions from a pure electric vehicle as the test only measures emissions from a vehicle’s engine.

At the same time, 27% said that the source of electricity should not be considered in the test, while 28% said they didn’t know.  People aged 18-34 are 36% more likely than those over 55 to believe that measuring the source of electricity should be in the MOT of the future. Meanwhile, women are 20% more likely than men to feel this.

Eric Smith, MOT Scheme Manager at Kwik Fit, said: “This research does highlight that millions of drivers believe there should be a way of testing overall emissions for vehicles using electricity. It’s worth remembering that currently hybrid vehicles are not tested for emissions in the MOT, even though they still run on petrol or diesel for some of the time, so perhaps the first change to make should be to include emissions testing for hybrids.”

The study also asked motorists what other components should be added to the MOT.  52% said that emergency braking systems should be in the MOT if they are fitted to the vehicle.  33% ADAS systems should be added, while 30% said lane assist technology should be included.

26% said Stop/Start systems, and parking sensors, while parking or rear-view cameras were cited by 24% of drivers.

The research also found that drivers who have received an MOT failure were most in favour of developing the test.  Those whose car has failed its MOT in the last three years were 15% more likely to believe that these safety features or driver aids should become part of the MOT compared to drivers who have not had an MOT failure in that time.

Eric added: “It’s important that the MOT does not become overcomplicated and focuses on checking the most important elements in vehicle safety.  However, motoring technology is continually advancing and the MOT has always been developed to reflect that.  As more and more drivers have new technology in their vehicles, it is natural that they will get used to relying on these driver aids, therefore it is essential that these are regularly checked to ensure they will work properly in an emergency.”