The Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill
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Senedd Cymru | Welsh Parliament
Bil yr Amgylchedd (Ansawdd Aer a Seinweddau) (Cymru) | The Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill
Ymateb gan Cymdeithas Cerbydau Trydan Cymru (EVA) Cymru | Evidence from Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) Cymru
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April 2023
Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) Cymru is Wales’ nationalrepresentative body for Electric Vehicle (EV) owners and drivers. EVA Cymru has three overarching objectives:
● To represent the interestof EV owners and driversin Wales
● To promotethe uptake of EVs in Wales
● To work with other stakeholders to achieve theseaims
Electric Vehicles producezero-emissions at the tailpipe and broader developments are also reducing any particulates resulting from tyres and other elements of travel on roads. EVs also produce significantly less noise, particularly at lower speeds, than combustion vehicles.
As such, EVA Cymru are strongly supportive of the general principles of the bill however we wish to bringattention to a number of elements whichmay aid scrutiny by the committee:
1. The ongoing publication of air quality data will be beneficial in understanding the changing impacts of travel as we move towards the UK-level ban of all sales of new Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) cars and vans in 2035. In particular, the data will provide insightsinto where ICE vehicles continueto be prevalent and whether this is disproportionately impacting any groups or areas where further support, investment, promotions or interventions may be needed to support the transition to decarbonised transport.
As a result we feel it is essential that the data is published in an open format which allows analysis against other datasets includingdeprivation and other social indicators.
2. It is important that the National Targets are revised to deliver a continuing reduction in air quality, howeverwe would encouragethe Welsh Government to publish and consulton the methodology for any future revisions in order to ensure that they take account of the opportunities possible to reduce pollutants through technical and social changes.
3. The bill provides direct provision for the implementation of traffic restrictions, including Trunk Road Charging Schemes alongside Clean Air/Low Emission Zones in order to alleviate air pollution in specific areas. At the same time, local authorities are considering, and will continue to consider, charging schemes to alleviate congestion. It is importantthat these two approaches are
aligned and that there is clear messaging to the publicas to the reason for any charging.
For Electric Vehicle drivers, whose impact on air quality is far below combustion vehicles, understanding the basis on which any charges are being made will be important to ensure ongoing public support and driving behaviours, including increased decarbonisation of transport, which support the aims of the bill.
4. The public sector, and its supply chain, is a significant transport user and, as a result, source of transport-related air quality and sound impacts. Whilst the Welsh Public Sector is seeking to decarbonise by 2030, this bill offers an opportunity to accelerate the decarbonisation and electrification of Public Sector travel in order to show leadership on reducing air and sound pollutants.
Finally, we would encourage broad engagement by the Welsh Government and Local Authorities in the promotionof air quality and soundscape improvements and the Clean Air Plan. Our experience shows that many are keen to make personal changes to support positive environmental benefits, including improvements in air quality within their local area, and the outcomes of this bill offer an opportunity for people to make more environmentally informed decisions (such as selecting a fully Electric Vehicle rather than a Hybrid Electric Vehicle).
These points will ensure that the bill’s policy intentionis achieved without unanticipated adverse impacts on EV Drivers.
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