All-Party
Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Electric and Autonomous Vehicles
established
· Group
demonstrates cross-party support for innovative new technologies
supporting new growth post-Brexit
A new parliamentary group will increase awareness of the
benefits and opportunities of electric and automated vehicles.
Chaired by the Rt Hon Dame MP (Con), the former
Secretary of State for Wales, the group will raise the profile of
the pace of change in the electric and automated vehicle sectors
and will discuss the charge infrastructure roll out,
opportunities for new high-value manufacturing, international
trade, emissions reduction, and road safety improvement.
The group has been established amid reports of record
electric car sales and following a host of commitments from major
vehicle manufacturers the likes of Ford, VW, Jaguar Land Rover,
and BMW who plan to invest billions of pounds globally into new
battery and electric vehicle research and manufacturing. In
January, Ford alone committed to spending USD11bn and rolling out
40 electrified vehicle offerings by 2022. Nissan intends to
double sales of its new longer-range Leaf in the next year, which
is assembled in Sunderland, England.
Commenting on the setup of the group, MP said:
“It is imperative that parliamentarians are aware of
the rapid pace of change in the electric and automated vehicle
sectors and that post-Brexit the UK is well positioned to benefit
from these new technologies. Clearly at hand are new
opportunities to expand our manufacturing base, create new
exportable expertise, decarbonise our economy, improve safety,
and increase productivity.
“We can’t let this major industrial shift pass us by
while everybody is focused on EU negotiations. We will aim to
keep MPs and Lords informed and help drive the agenda
forwards.”
Matthew Trevaskis, Head of Electric Vehicles at the
Renewable Energy Association, the APPG’s secretariat,
said:
“This historic industrial shift is creating major new
opportunities to decarbonise our transport sector, improve air
quality, and reduce consumer bills. We are pleased to work with
Dame Cheryl and Members from all parties to help drive this
agenda forward in the UK.”
The groups Vice-Chairs include former coalition Government
Transport Minister (LibDem), MP (Con), a member of the
Health Select Committee, (Lab), a member of the
Environmental Audit Committee. Other members of the group include
former energy secretary Sir (Lib Dem), MP (Con) a member of the
Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy Committee, and
MP (Con), a member of
the International Trade Committee.
The next event of the APPG, on grid infrastructure, will
take place in the House of Commons of the 1st of
March. Interested parties can email the REA to request a
place.
Notes to editors:
· Ford’s
announcement was covered by Reuters, here: https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-autoshow-detroit-ford-motor/ford-plans-11-billion-investment-40-electrified-vehicles-by-2022-idUKKBN1F30YZ
· Details
of the APPG can be found online, here: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/171220/electric-and-automated-vehicles.htm
· Data
on EV registrations can be found on the SMMT website,
here: https://www.smmt.co.uk/2018/01/december-ev-registrations/
· Details
of the Nissan Leaf sales targets can be found online
here: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-06/nissan-sees-doubling-sales-for-self-parking-longer-range-leaf
