Transport Minister Jesse Norman is to speak on the Government’s work to drive electric car take-up at the forthcoming Hay Festival.

Transport Minister Jesse Norman will outline the Government’s EV policies at the Go Ultra Low Hay Festival Panel

The event will play host to Go Ultra Low’s first-ever panel on the future of electric vehicles, which takes place at 10am on Thursday 31 May in the Oxfam Moot venue and will also see Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT offer an industry-wide view on how the automotive sector and government can collaborate effectively and accelerate electric car uptake.

Chaired by broadcaster, author and electric car expert Robert Llewellyn, the panel will also feature Tony Whitehorn, president and CEO of Hyundai UK, who will outline Hyundai’s plans for how it will transition to an increased number of electrified powertrains, including hydrogen fuel cell, and how the company expects technology and the UK market to develop in the coming years.

Meanwhile Fiona Howarth, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, will discuss how the energy sector will adapt to accommodate increased numbers of electric cars interacting with the grid, the increasing use of renewables and the number of tariffs available.

Jesse Norman, Roads Minister, said: “The Hay Festival is renowned for its ability to bring different kinds of expertise together to solve problems, and it is a delight for me as a Minister and local MP to take part in this event.”

Tickets are available from the Hay Festival Website.