According to John Hayes, minister of state at the Department for Transport, the UK Government needs to do more to boost electric charging in the country.
Mr Hayes spoke with Auto Express recently, saying that his team would get more involved in order to support infrastructure projects, as well as to continue backing the Plug-in Car Grant.
The target is to see that every new car sold in the year 2040 is a zero emissions car. “I’m determined to do all we can to make it more attractive to those who run and use electric cars,” said Hayes. “The Government needs to help and should do more. It’s important the Government knows what it can do to facilitate and not be inhibitive.”
Growth in this segment is currently happening at a very high rate in the UK, which ranks as the second-quickest expanding plug-in hybrid market in the world, with 54 consecutive months of sales increases. Plus, with an estimated 69% of drivers saying they’d choose an EV as their company car, it means this sector could really help with overall plug-in uptake.
However, while diesel came under scrutiny again during the High Court pollution ruling, Hayes stated that he’d be against banning certain vehicles to help cut pollution.
“We’re committed that we will deal with emissions. I don’t want to disadvantage motorists or cities by banning access – I’m concerned about that. You have got to think of economic opportunity.”
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