On Tuesday morning, the Business, Energy and
Industrial Strategy Committee questions motor
manufacturers BMW, Nissan, Toyota and Chinese automaker BYD [UK],
on the opportunities presented by electric vehicles (EV) and the
major barriers to production in the UK.
The session will examine how the UK can maximise the economic
benefits of EV manufacture and what more the Government needs to
do to support the industry and meet the 2040 target of phasing
out sales of petrol and diesel vehicles. The session is also
likely to explore issues relating to battery technology and the
development of national charging infrastructure, as well as what
needs to be included in the Government’s upcoming Road to Zero
Strategy.
The Electric Vehicles:
Developing the market and infrastructure inquiry is
exploring the role of electric vehicles in the transition to a
low carbon economy. It is investigating the actions needed to
support the development of the electric vehicle market, the
challenges that electric vehicles represent for the electricity
grid, and industrial opportunities for the automotive sector.
Witness schedule:
Tuesday 22 May, Committee Room 6, Palace of
Westminster
At 10am
-
Gareth Dunsmore, Electric Vehicle Director,
Nissan Europe
-
Ian Robertson, Special Representative of the
BMW Group in the UK BMW AG
-
Mike Kerslake, Technical Manager, BYD UK
-
Tony Walker, Managing Director, Toyota Motor
Europe.
The session will be broadcast live on Parliament TV.
Editor’s notes
BYD (Build Your
Dreams) is a Chinese manufacturer. In 2017 it
was the number one electric vehicle maker globally in terms of
vehicles sold (108,956) – more than BAIC, Tesla and BMW combined.
In 2016 BYD became the largest supplier of pure electric buses to
UK operators, partnering with bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis,
which assembles the vehicles in Falkirk.
On 8 May, the Committee took evidence from Robert Evans, Chair,
UK Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Association; Rasita
Chudasama, Principal Transport Planner, Nottingham City Council;
David Martell, CEO, Chargemaster; Matthew Eastwood, Head of
Transport, Scotland, Energy Saving Trust. A transcript of the
session is available here.
On 14 March, the Committee took evidence from Des Quinn, National
Officer, Unite the Union, and David Wong, Senior Technology and
Innovation Manager, SMMT. A transcript of the session is
available here.
On 27 February, the Committee took evidence from Mark Squires,
Chairman, National Franchised Dealers Association; Steve Gooding,
Director, RAC Foundation; Andrew Benfield, Group Director of
Transport, Energy Saving Trust; Georg Ell, Director, Western
Europe, Tesla. A transcript of the session is
available here.
Written evidence submitted to the inquiry is
available here.
