Large petrol retailers and motorway service stations will be legally required to install electric vehicle charging points in their premises under new plans announced in the House of Commons this week.

Speaking in the Commons, Transport Minister John Hayes said that the Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill aims to improve the infrastructure for electric cars and delivery vehicles. As well as the charging points, the new law would focus on other issues such as insurance for users of autonomous vehicles.

The UK Transport Minister commented: “We want the UK to be the best place in the world to do business and a leading hub for modern transport technology, which is why we are introducing the Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill in Parliament and investing more than £1.2 billion in the industry.

“This bill will aid the construction of greater infrastructure to support the growing demand for automated and electric vehicles as we embrace this technology and move into the future.”

Roads Minister Jesse Norman said: “Automated and electric vehicles will help improve air quality, cut congestion, boost safety and create thousands of skilled jobs in the UK.

“We have already supported the purchase of 115,000 ultra-low emission cars and there are already more than 11,500 publicly available charging points, but the demand continues to grow as more people purchase electric vehicles to cut fuel costs and boost the environment.”
 
Subscribe to Newsletter