UK parliamentary group set up to raise awareness on electric and automated vehicles
A new UK all-party parliamentary group (APPG) has been set up to increase awareness of electric and automated vehicles.
Chaired by Conservative MP Dame Cheryl Gillan, the former Secretary of State for Wales, the group said it will focus on issues such as the charge infrastructure roll-out, opportunities for new high-value manufacturing, international trade, emissions reduction, and road safety improvement.
In a statement published on the Renewable Energy Association’s website on Monday (12 February), Dame Cheryl Gillan 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 REA, 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 Baroness Kramer (LibDem), Andrew Selous MP (Con), a member of the Health Select Committee, Anna McMorrin MP (Lab), a member of the Environmental Audit Committee. Other members of the group include former energy secretary Sir Ed Davey MP (Lib Dem), Mark Pawsey MP (Con) a member of the Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy Committee, and Nigel Evans 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 1 March. Interested parties can email the REA to request a place.
