6. Debate on a Member's Legislative Proposal: Electric Vehicle Charge Points

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:14 pm on 5 February 2020.

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Photo of Julie James Julie James Labour 4:14, 5 February 2020

Yes, that's a very good point. We have looked at some innovative programmes. I know that the Minister for Economy and Transport's officials, for example, have been looking at whether it's possible to have slow charging lanes along trunk roads, so that you have—I don't understand the technology—some kind of induction looping so that if you drive your car along at x miles per hour it charges back up. We are looking at some of those innovations, but I do think they're a little way off in terms of general infrastructure, but, nevertheless, they need to be kept a weather eye on.

The other thing to say—I think Angela Burns brought this up, and a number of others may have as well—but local authorities already can set renewable targets in their local development plans in accordance with the Merton rule that she mentioned specifically, and others have mentioned the greening of the grid. So, local authorities already can do that in Wales. The thing that we're doing now, in terms of the national development framework and the strategic planning arrangements that we're putting in through the local government Bill, is encouraging them to do that on a strategic, regional level, as well as in their local development plans. But they do have the power to do already. 

So, just to say in summing up, Deputy Presiding Officer, we absolutely support the thrust of this motion to ensure electric vehicle charging points are installed in all new houses and, in fact, in non-residential buildings as well. We are abstaining, however, only because we don't think it needs primary legislation. We're looking at doing it through the building regulations route instead, and that forms part of our forthcoming consultation.