Oral Answers to Questions

Perran Moon Excerpts

Thursday 13th February 2025 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Perran Moon (Camborne and Redruth) (Lab)]

1. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support people to purchase electric vehicles.

[James Asser (West Ham and Beckton) (Lab)]

7. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support people to use electric vehicles.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Lilian Greenwood)]

The Government support zero emission vehicles through taxation incentives, vehicle grants and funding infrastructure roll-out. In January, EV sales were 42% higher than in January 2024. The recent National Audit Office report showed that we are on track to meet the 300,000 public charging points needed for expected demand in 2030.

[Perran Moon]

Meur ras ha myttin da, Mr Speaker. Electric vehicle demand is increasing. The Government’s commitment to banning the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 will have a significant impact on UK emissions, but there remain many misunderstandings and myths about electric vehicles. They are safer and cleaner, and whole-life costs are significantly cheaper. What can the Government do to increase consumer confidence by dispelling some of the nonsense peddled by vested interests?

[Lilian Greenwood]

My hon. Friend’s expertise in the field is welcome. Showcasing the benefits of EV ownership and the growth of the public charging point network are vital to supporting the transition away from diesel and petrol-powered cars. As he will know, EV drivers can save hundreds of pounds a year, and the average range of a new EV is now 236 miles. That is about two weeks’ driving for most people, and of course it is cleaner and greener. We are working closely with industry stakeholders to promote positive messaging around EVs and to improve consumer confidence.

Oral Answers to Questions

Perran Moon Excerpts

Thursday 21st November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Mike Kane]

Like our rail users, bus users depend on punctuality. Our bus services have not been up to scratch, with vast underfunding over the past few years. We are hoping that the £955 million investment in our buses will give local communities the powers they need to hold operators to account on the punctuality of those buses, so that our young people can get to their colleges and schools on time.

[Perran Moon (Camborne and Redruth) (Lab)]

6. What steps she is taking to improve transport infrastructure.

[Jen Craft (Thurrock) (Lab)]

10. What steps she is taking to improve transport infrastructure.

--- Later in debate ---

[Perran Moon]

I associate myself with the comments about Lord Prescott.

Public access to electric vehicle charging infrastructure is vital to encourage motorists to switch away from petrol and diesel vehicles, but the roll-out process is reliant on dedicated and experienced local authority resources, funding for which is due to run out next year. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss measures to avoid local authorities becoming bottlenecks in the roll-out of publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure?

[Louise Haigh]

The hon. Gentleman makes an important point. Our manifesto was clear that we are committed to accelerating the electric vehicle charge point roll-out, particularly to address the inequity across the country. I fully recognise the importance of local authorities in achieving that, and in the Budget we announced over £200 million of investment in charging for 2025-26, including that important support for local authorities. I am sure that my hon. Friend the Minister for the future of roads would be happy to meet him.