Autonomous and Electric Vehicles Bill Second Reading, House of Commons Monday 23 October 2017

Key messages

• The Autonomous and Electric Vehicles Bill provides an opportunity to promote greener transport options by increasing the access and availability of charge points for electric cars and enabling drivers of automated cars to be insured on UK roads. This follows the Government’s commitment to ensure nearly all cars and vans on our roads are zero emission by 2050
• The Government’s ambition to encourage the development of autonomous and electric vehicles is a positive step to improving transport technology. It is vital the Government engages with local authorities on how we can best accommodate the transition to autonomous vehicles.
• The Government’s intention to encourage the use of electric vehicles will go some way to helping to tackle the UK’s problem with air quality. We are calling on the Government to produce clear guidance on how to reach the target of approximately 100 per cent ultra-low-emission vehicles by 2050, as the target isn’t outlined in the proposed legislation.
• Autonomous vehicles may have a role to play in meeting the low-emissions target but on their own they are not the answer to tackling air pollution. Councils need a range of powers and devolved funding to allow them to further tackle poor air quality.
• Councils should be given the power to combat congestion hot spots. This includes measures to promote alternative travel, such as cycling, walking and public transport. A comprehensive congestion strategy would help tackle the issue.
• It is important that the regulations to introduce charge points does not penalise innovative councils who have already installed charging infrastructure by imposing large new costs upon councils to upgrade existing infrastructure.

Download the full briefing - Autonomous and Electric Vehicles Bill Second Reading, House of Commons Monday 23 October 2017