Oral Answers to Questions

Felicity Buchan Excerpts

Thursday 9th September 2021 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) (Con)]

4. What steps he is taking to support the roll-out of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

[Felicity Buchan (Kensington) (Con)]

6. What steps he is taking to support the roll-out of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

[Neale Hanvey (Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath) (Alba)]

16. What recent progress has been made on the roll-out of electric vehicle charging points.

--- Later in debate ---

[Rachel Maclean]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right about the popularity of electric cars. In fact, one in seven cars sold so far this year has a plug. He will know that vehicle excise duties are obviously a matter for my friends in the Treasury, but he will be also be aware that we are continually supporting the up-front purchase of electric vehicles via a very generous programme of grants, and that is set to continue.

[Felicity Buchan]

I warmly welcome the transport decarbonisation plan, particularly the requirement that all new homes and offices have electric vehicle charging points, which is a theme that I expounded in a ten-minute rule Bill. Will my hon. Friend give me an update on the timing of legislation?

[Rachel Maclean]

I thank my hon. Friend for all the hard work she has done on her ten-minute rule Bill, which addresses a vital issue. We in Government are going to act. We have heard her calls and those of her residents. We will publish our consultation response on requiring all new residential and non-residential buildings to have a charge point, and we intend to lay legislation later this year. We have also confirmed our intention to mandate that home and workplace electric vehicle chargers must be capable of smart charging.