§ Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research or other assistance his Department is funding for the development of electrically powered road vehicles.
§ Mr. AtkinsElectric vehicles have for some years been exempt from vehicle excise duty. A considerable amount of research related to electric vehicles has been carried out by the transport and road research laboratory. The Department of Transport and the Department of Trade and Industry have also funded research into higher energy density batteries and the Department of Industry has funded the development of electric vehicles. Although no further research is foreseen, officials keep in touch with developments in electric vehicles both in the United Kingdom and abroad.