New laws set to charge electric car revolution

Britain’s hi-tech road transport revolution stepped up a gear this week as the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act completed its passage through Parliament.

The legislation – known in short as the AEV Act – lays the framework for a massive improvement of electric charging infrastructure across the UK over the coming years.

The new laws aim to boost confidence in charging technology by ensuring that public charge points are compatible with all vehicles.

They also set standards for reliability and how charge points are paid for.

In addition, the government will get new powers to ensure that motorway services are upgraded for the electric vehicle revolution.

Roads Minister Jesse Norman says: “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.”

As well as providing a big boost to charging infrastructure, the AEV Act will bring automated vehicle insurance in line with traditional motor insurance practice.

The aim is to ensure that motorists are covered, both when they’re driving and when the driver has properly handed control to the vehicle.

The move has been welcomed by the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA).

“We’re pleased that the Bill has now been enacted,” said BIBA executive director Graeme Trudgill.

“This legislation will enable the insurance industry to offer insurance policies that will provide cover for autonomous vehicles – whether being driven in a manual mode, or in a fully automated mode once the technology allows.”

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The measures in the new Act are all part of the Government’s ambitious ‘Road to Zero’ strategy, which aims to put the UK at the forefront of the design and manufacturing of zero emission vehicles.

RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes recently called for the Government to be bold in its approach to ultra-low emission vehicles.

“Motorists' concerns about the limited range offered by electric vehicles need to be addressed head on,” he said.

“Manufacturers have a role to play here, but so too does the government in ensuring the necessary rapid charge infrastructure exists.”

The government believes that its Automated and Electric Vehicles Act addresses these concerns.

Roads Minister Jesse Norman says: “This Act will ensure that the UK’s infrastructure and insurance system is ready for the biggest transport revolution in a century.”