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

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:15 pm on 5 February 2020.

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Photo of David Melding David Melding Conservative 4:15, 5 February 2020

Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. I think we've had an outstanding debate and really pertinent points brought forward that have added to its depth, and I think really added also authority to the need to move, and I thank the Minister for replying in that spirit also. 

If I can just say, I think, Jenny Rathbone, you're right to say that there are other technologies, and hydrogen is the most likely one, perhaps, when we're comparing, but electric is much more advanced and there are quite formidable challenges still facing hydrogen. But, whatever happens, we want these new technologies to be available. How many cars? I'm with you in being fairly agnostic on car use. I would like to see fewer cars bought and more shared, and we will probably see social trends like that. We're not building that many new houses, so it's fairly limited, really, if we're going to bring in this law. It's not as if we're going to be requiring every house to retrofit. And you're right about renewable energy; it's got to be part of the picture. I think there's a cartoon in the Telegraph today—or it's in one of the newspapers, anyway—showing an electric charging point then linked to a dirty coal-fired power station, and that defeats the object completely.

Angela, I think rural charging points are really, really important, and the zap map, which just sounds wonderful and I'm sure is wonderful, but it's new to me. And you like your car—you're not there with Jenny and myself. We've got to remember this, that lots of people find cars very, very liberating, and Jenny and I live in very urban areas with lots of public transport and other options, so let's remember those that really do rely on their cars. 

Rhun led this agenda and I'm pleased to have the encore here, I suppose. You reassured Angela that electric cars have high performance as well—I don't want to say 'go fast', that might encourage the wrong thing, but, anyway, 'high performance', let's accept that euphemism. And the need, you said, to use legislative power and planning, and look at what Scotland did—you know, it's a vital tool.

Russell, again, the committee has worked hard in this area, and you did remind us about climate change obligations, which this is a very key part of in meeting them. 

Mark talked about the technology, and we do need to improve the battery technology, and the reliance on lithium at the moment is potentially problematic. And the lack of rapid-charging points in Wales is something that clearly is a problem at the moment. 

Then, the Minister focused on building regs and secondary approaches, in the sense of not needing primary legislation, and I really welcome the Welsh Government's plan to bring a strategy forward in this area, which the economy and transport Minister will make. I do politely point out that this is a take-note motion—it's not saying there should be a Bill brought in—so I do hope that you don't have to object to it, because it does not commit you, as far as my reading of the motion goes, anyway; it's merely a take note that this proposal has been made, and you've obviously entered your reservations anyway. So, I hope this can now go through by acclamation, as it were. 

Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer.