Extracts from Wales Assembly debate on 'Industry 4.0—the future of Wales' - Oct 17

Thursday, 18 October 2018 07:11

Nick Ramsay AM: Thanks for giving way. You've mentioned key components of this new economy—broadband, electric trains. I think this is a good time to plug the electric car infrastructure as well. I know it's not totally related to this, but, at the same time, that is all part of networks. We know that, at the moment, Wales is needing to play catch-up in terms of getting that electrical car charging...Request free trial

Nick Ramsay AM: Thanks for giving way. You've mentioned key components of this new economy—broadband, electric trains. I think this is a good time to plug the electric car infrastructure as well. I know it's not totally related to this, but, at the same time, that is all part of networks. We know that, at the moment, Wales is needing to play catch-up in terms of getting that electrical car charging infrastructure in place, so I hope you put that at the forefront as well.

Ken Skates AM (Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport): Indeed. I think the Member is absolutely right—there is considerable market failure in Wales, and this also applies to other areas of technological service provision. The reason that we've had to intervene so deeply in terms of superfast broadband is because of the market failure that we've had to tackle.

I think the Member makes a very important point about the automotive sector. We recently announced how the £2 million fund will be used to install electric charging points. We're hoping that we can use that as an incentive to develop more charging points that will enable cars to be charged at superfast speeds. I think it's absolutely essential that we use a limited resource in the best possible way, and that means futureproofing the provision of the charging points; it means investing in those charging points that are going to be able to supply power to cars more quickly. I'm particularly pleased that new technologies within the automotive sector are being developed right here and now in Wales. I'm delighted that Aston Martin Lagonda's new Lagonda electric powertrain will be amongst the most advanced on the planet, and that we will see it developed here...

Lee Waters AM: As significant and important an innovation as electric vehicles are, they aren't the answer to this problem without a transformed electricity system. All that said, Welsh Government should set out an ambition to end the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles in the UK. The UK Government has announced a ban by 2040 with other European countries going much earlier. Let's set our aspiration higher and let's leverage the auto sector we have based in Wales to turn this into an opportunity. Welsh Government is working on a new Welsh transport strategy, it must surely place at its heart the need to decarbonise the transport sector, not just in the words at the front but in the actions at the back. And there is a need to ensure that the energy we do use for transport comes from renewable sources, be that electricity, hydrogen or biofuels...

To read the whole debate, CLICK HERE