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Electric Vehicles: Transition by 2030

09 December 2021

Lead MP

Wera Hobhouse
Bath
Lib Dem

Responding Minister

Trudy Harrison

Tags

EmploymentTransportClimateChildren & Families
Word Count: 14256
Other Contributors: 10

At a Glance

Wera Hobhouse raised concerns about electric vehicles: transition by 2030 in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key Requests to Government:

I ask the Government to prioritise making all electric power from renewables by 2050 at the latest and to invest heavily in vocational training courses for net-zero jobs. The national grid needs significant upgrades, and public charge point provision must be a requirement of local plans. There should also be funding and investment for not-for-profit public EV charging services run by local authorities.

How the Debate Unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:

Lead Contributor

Bath
Opened the debate
I am concerned about the structural problems that result in barriers and delays to electric vehicle (EV) adoption, including high purchase prices of EVs, lack of charging points, and fear of being caught short while travelling. With only nine years left until the UK's deadline for ending sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030, substantial investment is needed in renewable energy sources, workforce upskilling, and grid infrastructure to support a transition to EVs powered by zero-carbon electricity.

Government Response

Trudy Harrison
Government Response
The Government have committed £2.5 billion for electric vehicle grants and infrastructure, aiming for a quarter of UK cars to be electric by 2030. The Prime Minister's 10-point plan phases out new petrol and diesel car sales by 2030 and mandates zero emissions at the tailpipe from 2035. Funding includes £1.3 billion for charging infrastructure, with schemes like Homecharge (£350 per charger) and on-street residential charge point scheme (£13,000 per point). The Government aim to install rapid chargers in all motorway service areas. There are currently 26,000 public charge points available, of which 4,900 are rapid chargers.
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About Westminster Hall Debates

Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.