AM looks to spark EV Revolution in Wales

Rhun ap Iorwerth AM for Anglesey continues to lead charge for better EV infrastructure in Wales

Presenting his proposal for an Electric Vehicle Charging Planning Bill in the National Assembly this week, Anglesey Assembly Member Rhun ap Iorwerth is continuing to lead the charge for better EV infrastructure as he urges Welsh Government to invest in more charging points throughout Wales.

The Plaid Cymru AM is proposing legislation in the Assembly Chamber today that would introduce planning guidelines for new developments, ensuring that all new buildings must include electric vehicle charging points, making it easier for people to use EVs, and reduce Wales’ carbon emissions.

Rhun ap Iorwerth has voiced his concerns repeatedly in recent months regarding Welsh Government’s lack of innovation and commitment in terms of developing a significant EV charging point infrastructure in Wales, labelling a recent report which showed that there are only 31 publicly-funded charging points throughout Wales as reflecting ‘shamefully’ on Welsh Labour’s EV efforts.

Outlining his vision and rationale behind the proposed bill, Rhun ap Iorwerth Plaid Cymru AM said,

“This Bill, if passed, would give Wales an opportunity to finally get in the game with regards to electric vehicle infrastructure. At the moment, we’re lagging so far behind the rest of The UK and that is all down to Welsh Government’s lack of commitment to seeing this technology more readily-adopted.

“The Scottish Government have shown tremendous commitment towards EVs, and Dundee City Council, for example, allow EV owners to use their car parks and charging points for free, and they have more electric vehicles in their council fleet than any other in the UK.

“There is no reason why Wales can’t show the same ambition, should Government commit to investing in this fantastic technology. I have seen first-hand how much desire there is across Wales for EVs, the only thing holding the public back from sparking the revolution into life and investing in EVs is the lack of a significant charging network.

“Plaid Cymru negotiated £2m towards investment in charging points in the latest budget deal, showing how committed we are as a party to developing EV infrastructure, and my proposal for this legislation, if passed, would make up for Welsh Government’s lost time and enable Wales to lead the charge on EV technology in the future.”