Category N1, N2 and N3: What Are the Vehicle Categories and Type Criteria? #Basics

We continue sharing detailed articles about vehicle categorization. In this article, we compile the necessary conditions for the classification of N1, N2, and N3 category vehicles, including the criteria for type, variant, and version.

Check out our previous article, where we thoroughly examined M1, M2, and M3 category vehicles.

General Definition of N1, N2, and N3 Category Vehicles

The N category vehicles are generally used for the transportation of goods. They are defined and categorized under EU Regulation 2018/858 as follows:

Category N consists of motor vehicles designed and constructed primarily for the carriage of goods, divided into:

• Category N1: motor vehicles with a maximum mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes;
• Category N2: motor vehicles with a maximum mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 12 tonnes;
• Category N3: motor vehicles with a maximum mass exceeding 12 tonnes.

Examples of N1 category vehicles include Volkswagen Transporter, Renault Kangoo, and Mercedes-Benz Vito. In brief, vehicles used for light goods transportation fall into this category.

For N2 category vehicles, examples could include Fiat Ducato, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and Iveco Daily.

N3 category vehicles are typically intended for heavier loads, with examples such as the Mercedes-Benz Arocs and Volvo FH.

Criteria for Vehicle Types, Variants, and Versions (Acc. to EU 2018/858)

3. N1 category

3.1. Vehicle type

3.1.1. A “vehicle type” shall consist of vehicles that share all of the following common features:

• (a) Manufacturer’s name,
  • A change in the legal form of company ownership does not require a new approval.
• (b) In the case of a self-supporting body, the design and assembly of the basic components of the body structure;
• (c) In the absence of a self-supporting body, the design and construction of the basic components constituting the chassis;
• (d) In the case of multi-stage vehicles, the manufacturer of the previous stage and the type of the vehicle.

3.1.2. The manufacturer may consider vehicles to be of the same type, by modifying the requirements of subparagraph (b) of Article 3.1.1, provided that when producing different body types (e.g., a van and a chassis cab, different wheelbases, and different roof heights), the basic elements that form the body structure floor and the front part of the body located directly in front of the windshield area are used. The manufacturer must provide evidence for this.

3.1.3. A type must consist of at least one variant and one version.

3.2. Variant

3.2.1. A “variant” within a vehicle type must consist of vehicles that share all of the following structural characteristics:

• (a) The number of side doors or, when using the criteria in Article 3.1.2, the body type as defined in Section C, Article 4 (for complete and completed vehicles);
• (b) Completion stage (e.g., complete/incomplete/completed);
• (c) The engine regarding the following characteristics:
  • (i) Type of energy source (internal combustion engine, electric motor, or others);
  • (ii) Operation principle (positive ignition, compression ignition, or others);
  • (iii) For internal combustion engines, the number and arrangement of cylinders (L6, V8, or others);
• (d) Number of axles;
• (e) Number of driven axles and their interconnections;
• (f) Number of steerable axles;
• (g) In the case of multi-stage vehicles, the manufacturer of the previous stage and the type of the vehicle.

3.3. Version

3.3.1. A “version” within a variant must consist of vehicles sharing all of the following features:

• (a) Maximum technically permissible laden mass;
• (b) Engine capacity for internal combustion engines;
• (c) Maximum engine output or maximum continuous rated power (electric motor);
• (d) Fuel type (petrol, diesel, LPG, dual-fuel, or others);
• (e) Maximum number of seating positions;
• (f) Noise level in motion;
• (g) Exhaust emission level (e.g., Euro 5, Euro 6, or others);
• (h) Combined or weighted combined CO2 emissions;
• (i) Electrical energy consumption (weighted combined);
• (j) Combined or weighted combined fuel consumption;
• (k) The presence of innovative technologies as specified in Regulation (EU) 510/2011.

As an alternative to the criteria specified in paragraphs (h), (i), and (j), vehicles grouped in an adaptation must have been tested under Annex XXI, Sub-Annex 6 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1151 for CO2 emissions, electrical energy consumption, and fuel consumption.

4. N2 and N3 vehicle categories

4.1. Vehicle type

4.1.1. A “vehicle type” must consist of vehicles sharing all of the following common essential features:

• (a) Manufacturer’s name,
  • A change in the legal form of company ownership does not require a new approval.
• (b) Category;
• (c) Common chassis design and construction for a single product variety;
• (d) Number of axles.

4.1.2. A type must consist of at least one variant and one version.

4.2. Variant

4.2.1. A “variant” within a vehicle type must consist of vehicles sharing all of the following structural features:

• (a) Body type or body structural concept as specified in Section C, Article 4, and Annex 2 (for complete and completed vehicles);
• (b) Completion stage (e.g., complete/incomplete/completed);
• (c) The engine with respect to the following features:
  • (i) Type of energy source (internal combustion engine, electric motor, or others);
  • (ii) Operation principle (positive ignition, compression ignition, or others);
  • (iii) For internal combustion engines, the number and arrangement of cylinders (L6, V8, or others);
• (d) Number of driven axles and their interconnections;
• (e) Number of steerable axles;
• (f) In the case of multi-stage vehicles, the manufacturer of the previous stage and the type of the vehicle.

4.3. Version

4.3.1. A “version” within a variant must consist of vehicles sharing all of the following features:

• (a) Maximum technically permissible laden mass;
• (b) Whether or not the vehicle can tow a trailer, as follows:
  • (i) Unbraked trailer;
  • (ii) Trailer with inertia braking system as defined in UNECE Regulation 13, Article 2.12;
  • (iii) Trailer with continuous or semi-continuous braking system as defined in UNECE Regulation 13, Articles 2.9 and 2.10;
  • (iv) An O4 category trailer resulting in a maximum gross train mass not exceeding 44 tonnes;
  • (v) An O4 category trailer resulting in a maximum gross train mass exceeding 44 tonnes;
• (c) Engine capacity;
• (d) Maximum engine output;
• (e) Fuel type (petrol, diesel, LPG, dual-fuel, or others);
• (f) Noise level in motion;
• (g) Exhaust emission level (e.g., Euro IV and Euro V or others).

3. Criteria for the Classification of N Category Vehicles

3.1. The classification of a vehicle type within the N category should be based on the technical specifications of the vehicle, as outlined in Articles 3.2 through 3.6.

3.2. In principle, all areas designated for seating must be entirely separated from the cargo area.

3.3. Despite the provisions of Article 3.2, passengers and goods may be transported within the same area, provided that safety devices designed to protect occupants from the shifting of cargo during driving, including hard braking and cornering, are installed.

3.4. For vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes, the partition systems intended for separating areas, as well as the securing devices designed for cargo as specified in Article 3.3, should be in accordance with the provisions of ISO 27956:2009 (Road Vehicles — Securing of cargo in delivery vans — Requirements and test methods) Parts 3 and 4.

3.4.1. The conditions outlined in Article 3.4 may be confirmed through a declaration provided by the manufacturer.

3.4.2. As an alternative to the provisions in Article 3.4, the manufacturer may demonstrate to the approval authority that the installed safety devices provide a level of protection equivalent to that outlined in the specified standard.

3.5. Except for the driver’s seat, the number of seating positions must not exceed the following values:

• (a) 6 in the case of N1 vehicles,
• (b) 8 in the case of N2 or N3 vehicles.

3.6. The vehicle must demonstrate a load-carrying capacity equal to or greater than the passenger-carrying capacity, expressed in kilograms.

3.6.1. For such purposes, the following formulas must be met in all configurations, particularly when all seating positions are occupied:

• (a) When N = 0:
  P – M ≥ 100 kg
• (b) When 0 < N ≤ 2:
  P – (M + N × 68) ≥ 150 kg
• (c) When N > 2:
  P – (M + N × 68) ≥ N × 68

The letters have the following meanings:

• “P”: maximum technically permissible laden mass,
• “M”: mass in running order,
• “N”: number of seating positions excluding the driver’s seat.

3.6.2. The mass of equipment installed on the vehicle for the purpose of housing (tank, superstructure, etc.), handling (crane, lift, etc.), and securing the load (load securing devices) should be included in M.

3.6.3. The mass of equipment not used for such purposes (compressor, towing winch, electric generator, suspension equipment, etc.) should not be included in M for the purposes of applying the formula specified in Article 3.6.1.

3.7. The requirements of Articles 3.2 through 3.6 must be met for all variants and versions within a vehicle type.

3.8. Criteria for the Classification of Vehicles as N1

3.8.1. A vehicle must be classified as N1 when all applicable criteria are met.

If one or more criteria are not met, the vehicle must be considered as M1.

3.8.2. For vehicles where the driver’s compartment and the cargo area form a single unit (e.g., superstructure “BB”), in addition to the general criteria specified in Articles 3.2 through 3.6, the criteria outlined in Articles 3.8.2.1 through 3.8.2.3.5 must be met.

3.8.2.1. In practice, a full or partial partition or a section placed between the row of seats and the cargo area (interior partition) should not relieve the obligation to meet the required criteria.

3.8.2.2. The criteria are as follows:

• (a) The loading of cargo must be possible via a rear door, tailgate, or side door specifically designed and manufactured for such purposes.
• (b) In the case of a rear door or tailgate, the loading aperture must meet the following conditions:
  • (i) When the vehicle is equipped with only one row of seats or only the driver’s seat, the minimum height of the loading aperture must be at least 600 mm.
  • (ii) When the vehicle is equipped with two or more rows of seats, the minimum height of the loading aperture must be at least 800 mm, and the aperture must present a surface area of at least 12,800 cm².
• (c) The loading area must meet the following conditions:
  • “Loading area” refers to the space located behind the row(s) of seats, or when the vehicle is equipped only with a driver’s seat, the area located behind the driver’s seat.
  • (i) The surface of the loading area should generally be flat.
  • (ii) When the vehicle is equipped with only one row of seats or a single seat, the minimum length of the loading area must be at least 40% of the wheelbase.
  • (iii) When the vehicle is equipped with two or more rows of seats, the minimum length of the loading area must be at least 30% of the wheelbase.
  • If the seats in the last row are easily removable from the vehicle without using special tools, the length requirement of the loading area must be met with all the seats installed in the vehicle.
  • (iv) The length requirements must be fulfilled when the seats in the first or last row are in their normal upright positions intended for use by passengers.

3.8.2.3. Special Conditions for Measurement

3.8.2.3.1. Definitions

• (a) “Height of the loading aperture” means the vertical distance between two horizontal planes, one tangent to the highest point of the lower section of the door aperture, and the other tangent to the lowest point of the upper section of the door aperture.
• (b) “Surface of the loading aperture” means the largest surface area of the maximum allowed aperture projected orthogonally on a vertical plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, with the rear door(s) or tailgate fully open.
• (c) “Wheelbase” refers to the distance between:
  • (i) In the case of a vehicle with two axles, the centerline of the front axle and the centerline of the second axle, or
  • (ii) In the case of a vehicle with three axles, the centerline of the front axle and the centerline of a virtual axle positioned equidistant between the second and third axles.

3.8.2.3.2. Seat Adjustments

• (a) Seats should be adjusted to their rearmost position.
• (b) Seatbacks should be adjusted to a position such that the H-point machine forms a 25-degree body angle.
• (c) If the seatback is not adjustable, it should be in the manufacturer’s designated position.
• (d) If seat height is adjustable, it should be set at the lowest position.

3.8.2.3.3. Vehicle Conditions

• (a) The vehicle must be in a loaded condition corresponding to its maximum permissible mass.
• (b) The wheels of the vehicle must be in a straight-ahead position.

**3.8.2.3.4. If the vehicle is equipped with a partition or interior wall, the provisions of Article 3.8.2.3.2 shall not apply.

3.8.2.3.5. Measurement of the Length of the Loading Area

• (a) If the vehicle is not equipped with a partition or interior wall, the length should be measured from a vertical plane tangent to the rear-most outer point of the seatback to the inside of the rear body or door or tailgate in the closed position.
• (b) If the vehicle is equipped with a partition or interior wall, the length should be measured from a vertical plane tangent to the rear-most outer point of the partition or wall to the inside of the rear body or door or tailgate in the closed position.
• (c) The length requirements must be met at least along a horizontal line at the level of the load floor passing through the center of the vehicle.

3.8.3. For vehicles where the driver’s compartment and the cargo area are not part of a single unit (e.g., superstructure “BE”), in addition to the general criteria specified in Articles 3.2 through 3.6, the criteria specified in this Article must also be met.

3.8.3.1. Where the vehicle is equipped with a closed body superstructure, the following provisions apply:

• (a) The loading of cargo must be possible via a rear door, tailgate, or panel or by other means.
• (b) The minimum height of the loading aperture must be at least 800 mm, and the aperture must present a surface area of at least 12,800 cm².
• (c) The minimum length of the loading area must be at least 40% of the wheelbase.

3.8.3.2. Where the vehicle is equipped with an open-type loading area, only the provisions in subparagraphs (a) and (c) of Article 3.8.3.1 shall apply.

3.8.3.3. For the application of the provisions of Article 3.8.3, the definitions specified in Article 3.8.2.3.1 shall apply.

3.8.3.4. However, the length requirements of the loading area must be met along a horizontal line at the level of the load floor passing through the center of the vehicle.

Bodywork Codes for Category N1, N2 and N3 Vehicles

4. N1, N2, or N3 Category Vehicles

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