Select committee: Science and Technology Committee
Recommendation 13
1st report - Battery strategy goes flat: Net-zero target at risk
Published 27 Jul 2021
Paragraph 90
Science and Technology Committee Role of batteries and fuel cells in achieving Net Zero All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Recommendation (the committee's words)
The Government should take steps to build public confidence in the safety of batteries and hydrogen technologies. The concerns of residents and drivers about the fire safety of batteries must be taken seriously. Action must be taken to mitigate the risks of existing battery installations, including more stringent safety standards. Regulations and incentives should be used to drive development of safer battery technologies in transport and stationary applications. Effective fire-fighting protocols need to be developed, with provision of training and equipment for fire fighters, other first responders and vehicle maintenance workers.
From: Science and Technology Committee, 1st report - Battery strategy goes flat: Net-zero target at risk, paragraph 90, 27 July 2021
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 27 September 2021 (deadline 27 September 2021).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government sets out support already in place or planned across batteries, charging, freight and hydrogen, and ties future battery research funding to the Spending Review 2021.
- On supply chains, it states it is "committed to supporting the automotive sector", with £500m of the Automotive Transformation Fund available over four years as the first part of "up to £1 billion".
- On charging, it says it "recognise[s] the need to accelerate" the public network, will provide £1.3 billion over four years, and will publish an EV Infrastructure Strategy "later this year".
- On HGVs, the consultation closed on 3 September and it is analysing responses; it "intend[s] to announce phase out dates as soon as possible".
- On fuel cells, it says technology development is "at an earlier stage than in batteries" and that intervention to date has focused on supporting earlier development.