§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy if, in the interests of energy conservation, he will sponsor an investigation of the capital costs of an electrically propelled goods delivery vehicle into how this figure compares with a vehicle of similar capacity driven by a conventional internal combustion engine; and into the comparative running costs of these vehicles less execise duty and VAT on fuel.
Mr. Alan WilliamsI have been asked to reply.
Outline information on the relative capital cost of electrically propelled goods 1092W delivery vehicles and those of conventionally driven vehicles is available but could be misleading, as it is not possible until electrically driven vehicles have been further developed to compare on a like for like basis purpose designed vehicles operating in identical roles. Current designs of electric vehicles are derived from conventionally powered vehicles and the indications are that even after a production run of several thousand the capital cost would be at least 50 per cent. greater.
Comparative running costs, in so far as these are affected by the basic cost of energy, are also known in general and suffer from the same design limitations.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will estimate the amount of money being spent on research and development of electrically driven vehicles in the United Kingdom and indicate the companies and research institutions involved.
Mr. Alan WilliamsI have been asked to reply.
Both commercial companies and government supported research institutions are engaged on work which might be expected to contribute directly or indirectly to future electrically driven vehicles.
The amount being spent by private companies is regarded by them as being commercially confidential. The work in this connection is concentrated on the vehicle itself but more especially upon an improved battery—sodium sulphur. An estimate of over £6 million total spend has been made.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will investigate the degree of success that has been achieved with the sodium sulphur battery and the time span that is likely to be involved in replacing the acid battery.
Mr. Alan WilliamsI have been asked to reply.
It has been said that success with a battery to replace the lead acid type in vehicle application will provide the whole key to the future of electric vehicle development and commercial exploitation.
The five-party consortium undertaking this work in the United Kingdom is 1093W directed by a steering committee which is satisfied with progress to date. However because of the difficult and fundamental nature of some of the problems involved it is impossible to predict within a foreseeable, five to 10-year timescale when these batteries are likely to replace the conventional lead acid type.