Electric Vehicle Charge Points Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Electric Vehicle Charge Points

Lord Walney Excerpts
Wednesday 26th January 2022

(2 years, 3 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Vere of Norbiton Portrait Baroness Vere of Norbiton (Con)
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The noble Lord is stretching my technical knowledge at this point. I am sure that those things are being considered. Obviously, the Government are working closely with the industry on the design of charging points, because we want to make sure that they are accessible and do not obstruct the pavement—and we have seen much innovation in the area.

Lord Walney Portrait Lord Walney (CB)
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It is good that the Minister acknowledges the problem of reliability, which is a particular issue on the motorway network. Does the suite of her responses include increasing fines for companies when their charge points are out, which is all too common? They need a greater incentive to comply.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton Portrait Baroness Vere of Norbiton (Con)
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That, of course, is a very serious consideration: we need to make sure that companies do not just stick up a charge point and then leave it there unmaintained and, therefore, unreliable. We will be considering all options as we respond to the consultation.