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From 1800 kg
Member of the European Parliament Karima Deli has come up with a plan to harmonize driving license rules in different European member states. Of course, this would not be possible without proposing new rules, such as the B+ driving license that aims to make driving SUVs less attractive.
According to good European customs Suggestion or offer, which De Telegraaf and Politico brought to our attention, is very long and difficult to understand. However, one thing is clear: according to Delli, there must be a driver’s license category “B+”. This already exists officially, but is given a different interpretation in the proposal. The new “B+” has nothing to do with trailers, but rather with the weight of the vehicle itself. Anyone wishing to drive a vehicle weighing more than 1,800 but less than 3,500kg (the current maximum for a B licence) will need to obtain a ‘B+’. Furthermore, this is not possible immediately, but is only permitted if the driver in question is at least 21 years old. Daily points out that SUVs take up more space, are less efficient, emit more emissions, and, due to their higher weight, also cause serious accidents more often, although the latter seems to remain a matter of hypotheticals. The 1,800kg weight limit will be sufficient for the “vast majority” of passenger cars currently on sale, “even electric cars”. So don’t count on an exception for electric vehicles, as currently applies to commercial vehicles.
This could impose quite a few limitations, because cars like the Tesla Model 3 Long Range and even the Cupra Born with the largest battery pack already weigh more than 1,800kg. Even if we limit ourselves to SUVs, it is certain that it is not only huge monsters that will be affected by this measure. For example, the Alfa Romeo Tonale plug-in hybrid weighs more than 1,800kg, just like the twin-engined version of the new Volvo EX30 that many Dutch people are eagerly anticipating.
Moreover, the rule clearly does not distinguish between body types. The trucks mentioned above are also affected by this, although in reality they are almost always driven out of necessity. However, this has been taken into account in the proposal, in the form of an exception that should apply to people who actually need a “heavy” driving licence.
Delli’s proposal includes more than just the B+ driving licence, such as stricter and more frequent inspections for older drivers and an absolute top speed of 130 km/h across the EU. Needless to say, this will face a great deal of resistance, especially in Germany, and the rest of the proposal is still far from being approved.
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