A new Parliamentary group has formed to generate cross-party support for electric and autonomous vehicles, including looking at the grid infrastructure.

All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Electric and Autonomous Vehicles established

Chaired by the Rt Hon Dame Cheryl Gillan MP (Con), the group will look to raise awareness amongst MPs of the benefits of such vehicles and to look at issues regarding charging infrastructure roll out as well as opportunities for new high-value manufacturing, international trade, emissions reduction, and road safety improvement post-Brexit.

Cheryl Gillan MP said: “Clearly at hand are new opportunities to expand our manufacturing base, create new exportable expertise, decarbonise our economy, improve safety, and increase productivity.

“We can’t let this major industrial shift pass us by while everybody is focused on EU negotiations. We will aim to keep MPs and Lords informed and help drive the agenda forwards.”

The group’s vice-chairs include former coalition Government Transport Minister Baroness Kramer (LibDem), Andrew Selous MP (Con), a member of the Health Select Committee, Anna McMorrin MP (Lab), a member of the Environmental Audit Committee. Other members of the group include former energy secretary Sir Ed Davey (Lib Dem), Mark Pawsey MP (Con) a member of the Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy Committee, and Nigel Evans MP (Con), a member of the International Trade Committee.

The next event of the APPG, on grid infrastructure, will take place in the House of Commons on 1 March. Interested parties can email the Renewable Energy Association to request a place.