Calls are being made to include EV battery testing in the MOT, helping to boost the uptake of checking electrical storage units in workshops.
The 4R Battery Alliance has now added its support to calls for the addition to the MOT test. It believes the move would mark a critical step toward building a sustainable and circular EV battery ecosystem in the UK, delivering significant benefits to both businesses and consumers.
EV adoption is continuing to grow in the UK, with over two million battery-electric models now on the roads. This means that there is more opportunity for repair work when it comes to the technology. The Alliance, therefore, believes that a standardised battery health assessment is an essential evolution for the current MOT framework.
Integrating EV battery testing into the MOT, it says, would bring transparency around battery health, improved safety and more accurate valuations. This would support the transition to zero-emission mobility and EV battery circularity.
The position aligns with the Alliance’s mission to proMOTe the ‘4Rs’ of battery stewardship: Repair, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle. Improved visibility into battery condition will help unlock greater opportunities and value across the entire battery lifecycle, identifying batteries suitable for repair, reuse and repurposing into second-life applications, such as battery energy storage systems (BESS), or for recycling to recover critical materials at end-of-life and improve sustainability.
EV battery testing for used cars
EV battery testing also supports the used car market, by providing greater clarity, confidence and certainty about battery condition. According to a YouGov survey, uncertainty over battery health is the number one barrier to purchasing a used EV.
By providing clear, reliable insights into the condition and performance of the battery, an independently applied test would build confidence and trust, supporting a more stable and resilient used EV market.
New MOT rules introduced this year brought in additional safety checks for EVs, including visual inspections of high-voltage cabling and visible battery mountings. However, EV battery testing is still not part of the framework, even though a damaged battery could have safety implications if it fails in use.
By helping detect safety issues, the Alliance believes that EV battery testing would reduce the chances of battery fires and failures, as well as identify degradation patterns and optimal charging strategies. This transparency allows drivers to adapt their behaviours to minimise degradation, maximising the life of the battery.
“EV battery testing is one of the key enablers of a circular economy,” commented Tom Rumboll, Chair of the 4R Battery Alliance. “Without it, we can’t confidently reuse, repurpose or recycle batteries at scale. We see this as part of a broader, industry-wide effort to normalise battery diagnostics and make them an integral part of EV ownership. By working together, we can create a system that benefits consumers, supports innovation and strengthens the UK’s leadership in the transition to EVs.”
Battery health is vital
The Alliance notes that some parts of the electric vehicle sector have made considerable progress towards introducing EV battery testing. However, this needs to be matched across the whole sector.
Furthermore, the Alliance also argues that a lack of understanding of different tests can cause resistance. It proposes the introduction of clear guidelines and standards around testing methods and their appropriate applications.
With over two million EVs registered in the UK, there are growing calls for battery health testing and standardisation alongside or linked to the current MOT system. Last year the Startline Used Car Tracker reported that nine out of 10 dealers said the used electric car sector needed an industry-wide scheme for battery health tests.
The last public consultation on the future of MOTs, conducted in 2023, also reported a great deal of interest in how the current test could be adapted to improve the safety and reliability of EVs.
