Electric Vehicles 2023-06-08
2023-06-08
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the market share and availability of electric vehicles in the UK.
What steps he is taking to help improve the market share and availability of electric vehicles?
The Government are committed to accelerating the transition to zero-emission vehicles. We will introduce a world-leading zero-emission vehicle mandate supporting future supply by setting minimum percentages of manufacturers' new car and van sales to be zero emission from 2024.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP welcomes Jaguar Land Rover's £15 billion investment and asks for the Minister to join her in welcoming it.
Will the Minister join me in welcoming JLR's £15 billion investment, and does he agree that it shows that we are emerging as a world leader in clean technology?
I was delighted to see JLR's commitment. Through our policies and investments, the Government are accelerating electrification and unlocking industry investment. This is a vote of confidence from the UK's largest carmaker.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific impact on clean technology leadership not addressed
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asks about the potential for hydrogen-powered vehicles and highlights companies establishing hydrogen service stations.
May I ask the Minister not to get totally fixated on electric vehicles? There are a few companies establishing hydrogen-powered service stations for trucks up and down the country. With less impact on the environment, hydrogen has real possibility in this country.
The Government are very interested in hydrogen's potential not just in heavier vehicles but also in maritime and aerospace. We take a technology-neutral approach and I have visited JCB which has pioneered a hydrogen-based off-road digger.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to hydrogen policies not provided
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asks about the EU's decision to delay the ban on petrol combustion engines under pressure from Germany.
What discussions have we had with our industry about whether it might be appropriate to do that here, given that that may give some of our industry difficulty in continuing to manufacture in the future?
The third round of consultations on the zero-emission vehicle mandate has just closed. We work closely with all relevant parties, especially car manufacturers. Not deflecting from our path will put us further ahead and trigger substantial private sector investment in charging infrastructure.
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Assessment & feedback
Details on discussions about delaying the ban not provided
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raises concern about the VAT difference discouraging public charge point use, affecting 38% of households.
The different application of VAT between domestic and public charging points is clearly a disincentive. Will the Minister speak to his colleagues in the Treasury to ensure that this unfair VAT charge is scrapped?
The tax system supports electric vehicle take-up already. As a former Financial Secretary, I am not going to make Treasury policy from the Dispatch Box, but my colleagues will have noted her concern.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to discuss VAT differential with Treasury not provided
Not Making Treasury Policy
Response accuracy