Extract from Wales Assembly Topical Questions: Honda - Feb 20

Thursday, 21 February 2019 08:08

Russell George AM: Well, of course, Honda has confirmed that Brexit wasn't a driving force behind their decision, but it was largely driven by the industry's move to electrified vehicles, and they have said that they will focus activity in regions where it's expected to have high production volumes of electric cars. So, I am concerned that we are behind the curve here in Wales. We know that the...Request free trial

Russell George AM: Well, of course, Honda has confirmed that Brexit wasn't a driving force behind their decision, but it was largely driven by the industry's move to electrified vehicles, and they have said that they will focus activity in regions where it's expected to have high production volumes of electric cars. So, I am concerned that we are behind the curve here in Wales. We know that the Scottish Government—or, certainly, my view is that the Scottish Government is much further ahead when it comes to developing infrastructure and supporting that technology. Now, some councils, I'm aware, haven't even started to bid for funding to install EV charging infrastructure, preferring to wait for market demand.

So, just to briefly focus my questions on this, what is the Welsh Government doing in terms of working with local authorities and also working with regional economic plans to ensure that this area of electric vehicle and new technology is being taken forward? And what is the Welsh Government doing to demonstrate to companies like Honda and Ford that Wales is a place that makes innovative infrastructure investment decisions and takes new technologies seriously?

Lee Waters AM (Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport): Thank you. I think that's a little bit of a stretch to try and link those two issues together. We do have a £2 million fund, which we've agreed jointly with Plaid Cymru, to roll out electric vehicle charging. On the point of Brexit not being a deciding factor, I think, again, the Member is stretching credibility a little. This morning—

Russell George AM: That's what they said. I'm quoting what they said.

Lee Waters AM: This morning, the former ambassador to Japan, Sir David Warren, has said that it is fanciful to claim the decision was not related to Brexit. At the end—[Interruption.] I'm having heckles from the Conservative benches. Their anger would be better directed at their own Government who are failing to provide certainty for businesses about what the trading environment is going to be at the end of this month.