§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the interests of the environment, he will investigate the noise in decibels emitted by an electrically propelled goods delivery vehicle and a comparable vehicle using an internal combustion engine.
Mr. Alan WilliamsI have been asked to reply.
Indications so far are that electrically propelled goods delivery vehicles would have significant advantages over internal combustion engined vehicles from the noise emission point of view. Interest is now being centred on the possibility that this advantage may not be fully reaped because of other relative disadvantages which may lead operators to continue to choose conventional vehicles.