Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Motorcycle Industry Association's publication entitled Realising the full potential of zero emission powered light vehicles – a joint action plan for Government and industry, published in February 2022 what steps his Department is taking to improve uptake of mopeds.
Answered by Anthony Browne
The Government’s Plug-in Motorcycle Grant encourages early market growth of zero emission powered light vehicles. It has supported the purchase of over 12,000 zero emission powered light vehicles, and according to our registration data, 40.6% of mopeds registered in 2022 were battery electric. All grants remain under continual review to ensure best value for money.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of his Department's steps to decarbonise L-Category vehicles.
Answered by Anthony Browne
The consultation on when to end the sale of new non-zero emission L-category vehicles (including mopeds and motorcycles) was open to responses from 14 July to 21 September 2022 and was supported by a thorough programme of engagement with stakeholders. The Department is now analysing the responses and will bring forward the Government’s response in due course.
Government policies are already in place to support the transition, such as the Plug-in Motorcycle Grant. The Government also made up to £350,000 of funding available for research and development projects to grow the zero-emission motorcycle supply chain in the UK. However, the Government appreciates that there are technology and infrastructure considerations for these vehicles as they transition and will continue to work with the sector to support and examine how to best overcome demand side challenges, including the infrastructure needs of zero emission L-category vehicles.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to increase the uptake of (a) mopeds and (b) motorcycles.
Answered by Guy Opperman
The Government seeks to enable people to choose how best to make journeys; we do not favour or promote any particular form of motorised personal transport. We are focused on ensuring the road system is safe and efficient for all users, for example through the measures in The Plan for Drivers from which riders will also benefit. These measures include fixing roads faster, better traffic lights and having the right speed limits in the right place.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the Motorcycle Industry Association's report entitled, Realising the Full Potential of Zero Emission Powered Light Vehicles, published February 2022.
Answered by Anthony Browne
The Government continues to engage with industry to deliver the Action Plan where appropriate. To address actions 2 and 3 on growing and developing the supply chain, the Government made up to £350,000 of funding available for research and development projects to grow the zero-emission motorcycle supply chain in the UK. The Department is also working with the recently established “Powered Light Vehicle Community” to address action 9 on creating a formal L-category community. In addition, the Department is engaged with the MCIA’s recent licensing review proposals to address action 6 to review minimum testing and licence entitlements for all battery electric L-Category vehicles.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has had recent discussions with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency on the future of its contract with the Post Office.
Answered by Richard Holden - Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
Post Office Ltd currently provides a limited range of DVLA services and an extension to the current contract has recently been agreed. The DVLA wants its customers to be able to access its services as quickly and as easily as possible and the role of front office counter services will form part of the considerations of future service offerings, utilising government agreements if necessary. The issue of annual Post Office revenues is a matter for Post Office Ltd.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made a recent estimate of the impact of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency contract with the Post Office on annual Post Office revenues.
Answered by Richard Holden - Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
Post Office Ltd currently provides a limited range of DVLA services and an extension to the current contract has recently been agreed. The DVLA wants its customers to be able to access its services as quickly and as easily as possible and the role of front office counter services will form part of the considerations of future service offerings, utilising government agreements if necessary. The issue of annual Post Office revenues is a matter for Post Office Ltd.