Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will make an assessment of the implementation of a standardised battery health certification scheme for electric vehicles; and its impact on (1) consumer confidence and (2) growth in the second-hand electric vehicle market.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The battery forms a large part of an electric vehicle’s (EV) value and performance. Information about EV battery health could help consumers in the used vehicle market to make informed comparisons between vehicles and alleviate concerns about battery durability, supporting the growth of the used EV market.
The UK has worked with international partners at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe to develop a Global Technical Regulation on EV batteries (GTR No.22). If implemented, this regulation would ensure that EVs provide easily accessible, accurate, and comparable information on the battery’s state of health. The Government is analysing options for the implementation of GTR No.22 regulations in the UK.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they are giving to implementing UN Global Technical Regulation 22 on electric vehicle batteries in the UK; and what is their timeline for implementation.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government is currently considering options for the implementation of UN Global Technical Regulation No. 22 in the UK, taking into account the implementation timelines of other key markets, such as the EU. The Government aims to consult on these plans later this year.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will make an assessment of the potential of garage and repair networks to offer accessible and affordable MOT and maintenance services for electric vehicles, including battery health testing.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles has endorsed the Institute of the Motor Industry’s (IMI) TechSafe scheme, which helps to ensure technicians have the skills they need to safely repair an electric vehicle (EV) and allows consumers to access a register to find their nearest EV competent technician. According to the IMI, 64,700 technicians are already qualified to work on an EV. This represents 26% of all technicians in the UK.
At MOT vehicles are tested for safety critical components, such as tyres and brakes. The Government has not seen any evidence to suggest that EV battery health impacts road worthiness and therefore the need for testing during the MOT. In 2023, the Department for Transport published a call for evidence, which included questions related to EV testing. The Department continues to consider EV-specific items to improve the MOT test and expects to consult on these changes in the near future.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide a catering trolley on the London Waterloo to Exeter line after South Western Railway comes under public ownership in May.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
One of the tasks of the new management of South Western Railways (SWR) after train operations come into public ownership will be to pay close attention to the needs of the travelling public. As I know that a long held desire of travellers on this line is the reinstatement of refreshments, this will be examined afresh to see if a positive financial case can be made for it.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to continue the door-to-door Luggage Buddy scheme currently operated by South Western Railway after the rail service comes under public ownership in May.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
South Western Railway (SWR) expects to continue to run the Luggage Buddy scheme that is currently operated, after the move to public ownership in May.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made on the introduction of a standardised battery health certification scheme for used electric vehicles.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport has worked with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) to develop a Global Technical Regulation on electric vehicle batteries (GTR 22). If implemented, the regulation would set standards for the lifespan of a battery and its minimum durability. It will also ensure that information about electric vehicle batteries is easily accessible, accurate and comparable. The Government is currently considering options for the implementation of GTR 22 battery regulations in the UK.
In the meantime, the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate requires all new electric vehicles to be sold with a warranty that includes battery replacement if capacity falls below 70% in the first 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever is sooner.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government which unit or team in the Department for Transport is responsible for policy relating to self-driving delivery robots that operate primarily on pavements.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Department has a team that is responsible for micromobility policy which includes self-driving delivery robots. That team works with a wide range of other teams on the opportunities and risks they present, including the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what are the (1) terms of reference, and (2) scope of work, of the UK bus manufacturing expert panel.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel’s terms of reference sets out the purpose, membership and function of the Panel. These were shared with Panel members. I will share a copy of the terms of reference with the noble Baroness and make a copy available in the House Library.
The Panel will bring together industry experts and local leaders to explore ways to ensure the UK remains a leader in bus manufacturing.
Membership comprises two classifications: Standing Members and Additional Members. Standing Members include Government departments and wider industry bodies. Bus manufacturers, operators and mayoral combined authorities are invited as Additional Members.
The scope and function of the Panel is shaped by its three central objectives: support the growth of the UK bus manufacturing sector, understand the pipeline of future bus orders to support planning, and explore ways to prioritise passenger-centric bus design.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what criteria they used to decide which organisations should be standing or additional members of the UK bus manufacturing expert panel.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The membership of the UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel will comprise of two classifications: Standing Members and Additional Members. Standing Members will include Government departments and wider industry bodies. Additional Members will be invited to relevant meetings when particular issues are under consideration.
To ensure balanced representation, Standing Membership is limited to Government departments and industry bodies. Bus manufacturers, operators and mayoral combined authorities are invited as additional members. This decision was taken to ensure that the expertise of additional members is reflected during relevant meetings when specific issues are under discussion.
Asked by: Baroness Pidgeon (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what criteria they used to decide the frequency with which additional members of the UK bus manufacturing expert panel should attend meetings.
Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The membership of the UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel comprises two classifications: Standing Members and Additional Members. Standing Members include Government departments and wider industry bodies. Additional Members will be invited to relevant meetings when particular issues are under consideration.
The frequency with which Additional Members will attend meetings is based on their expertise and knowledge of relevant meeting topics.