Parliament passes act to improve EV infrastructure

The EV industry received a boost yesterday when the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act passed through Parliament (July 19)

The Government believe the act is a significant step towards improved air quality, cutting congestion, boosted road safety and the creation of thousands of jobs across the UK.

The AEV Act will give the Government new powers to ensure motorway services are upgraded with charging points, and will allow mayors to request installations at large fuel retailers in their areas.

The Government say the new laws will ‘improve consumer confidence in charging their vehicles by making sure that public charge points are compatible with all vehicles, standardising how they are paid for, setting standards for reliability.’

Jesse Norman, Roads Minister, added: ‘The UK is becoming a world leader in the roll-out of low-emission transport. Today we have passed a significant milestone in that journey. The increasing automation of our cars is transforming the way we drive, and the government is steadily updating our laws in order to prepare for the future.

‘This act will ensure that the UK’s infrastructure and insurance system is ready for the biggest transport revolution in a century.’

The act will also bring automated vehicle insurance in line with longstanding motor insurance practice, ensuring that motorists are covered both when they are driving, and when the driver has legitimately handed control to the vehicle.

The measures in the new act form part of the government’s recently launched Road to Zero strategy.

The UK will also be hosting the world’s first Zero Emission Vehicle summit later this year in Birmingham, promoting the UK as a world leader for investment in and uptake of zero-emission vehicles.