Queen’s speech introduces Electric Vehicles Bill in the UK

The British Government has used the Queen’s speech to introduce a bill on automated and electric vehicles.

As well as boosting the electric car charging network, it wants to encourage the invention, design and use of driverless cars. The objective is for the UK to become a “world leader in new industries”.

Motorway services and major petrol stations will be required to install charging points for electric vehicles (EV). The laws governing the adoption of more charging points will be based around common technical standards, to ensure compatibility for drivers and their vehicles, reports Driving.

The new law also aims to support British manufacturing and innovation by allowing self-driving cars to operate in the country.

The Government says it is committed to spending £600m (NZ$1.04 billion) during this parliament to support the ultra-low emissions market. More British drivers own an electric vehicle than drivers from any other EU nation. And one in five electric cars sold in the EU last year was made in the UK.