Driving an electric campervan up to 4,250 kg is allowed with a standard B license

In the Netherlands, you are allowed to drive an electric campervan up to 4,250 kg with a category B driver’s license. A C1 license is not required. This makes electric camping accessible to everyone who wants to hit the road without extra exams.

Why is this allowed?

For vehicles with an internal combustion engine, the B-license limit is set at 3,500 kg. Electric vehicles are heavier due to the battery pack, while their function remains the same. For this reason, an exception has been made for fully electric vehicles: you can drive them up to 4,250 kg with your standard B-license.

This exception applies to electric commercial vehicles, but also to electric campers that are officially registered as campervans.

In which countries does this apply?

The 4,250 kg rule originates from European regulations. All member states must implement this rule in the coming years, but they decide for themselves when to do so. As a result, there is a difference in pace.

• Almost all of Europe is moving towards 4,250 kg on a B-license.
• Most countries will implement this between 2027 and 2029.
• Germany and Belgium seem to be heading more towards 2029 than 2027.

Countries where it is already permitted:

• The Netherlands
• Norway
• Finland
• On commercial registration (with a speed limiter at 90 km/h) in most European countries

Because implementation varies by country, it is wise to check which rules apply in your travel destination before departure.

What does this mean for you as a camper?

The VAN-Jorn CHARGE stays well within the 4,250 kg limit. This is due to the lightweight interior and the way the vehicle is constructed. The electric Peugeot e-Boxer has a higher base weight than a diesel van, but that is normal for electric vehicles.

Do you want to be certain you can drive anywhere, even in countries that do not yet apply the 4,250 rule? Then you can have the camper downrated to 3,500 kg. This allows you to cross borders without extra checks. As soon as more countries adopt the new rules, you can have the weight increased again. This way, you maintain maximum flexibility without an extra license. You can also equip the camper with an interior that keeps you under 3,500 kg. You will, however, need to pay closer attention to the gear you bring along.

Tachograph and speed limits

In the Netherlands, commercial vehicles over 3,500 kg are subject to a tachograph requirement and a maximum speed of 90 km/h. These rules are linked to vehicles in the N-category, such as delivery vans.

The electric Peugeot e-Boxer used by VAN-Jorn is approved by the RDW as an M1 camper. This is the same category as passenger cars and regular campers. Consequently, the tachograph requirement and the 90 km/h rule do not apply, even if the vehicle is heavier than 3,500 kg.

This is an important difference from standard electric commercial vehicles. Therefore, we do not recommend buying an e-Boxer yourself and having it converted. That type of van usually falls into a different vehicle category with different obligations. The special e-Boxer we use is intended by Peugeot for camper production and prevents those kinds of issues.

There is also information available regarding safety courses for heavy vehicles, for example in the Netherlands and Austria. In the Netherlands, the course is voluntary and often only mandatory for transport professionals. The course is, of course, very useful and consists of one training day of about 5 hours. In Austria and Belgium, a course is mandatory. As a Dutch citizen, you cannot yet fulfill this requirement there, so the situation is somewhat complicated.

Prefer to drive everywhere without any doubt?

Anyone who wants complete certainty during these transition years can always opt for the C1 license. It is not necessary for the VAN-Jorn CHARGE, but it does provide extra freedom in countries where the new 4,250 kg rule does not yet apply. Furthermore, you learn more about driving a heavier vehicle, such as braking behavior, visibility, and stability.