Government needs to act on EV technology
The government must do more to put the UK in the fast lane of electric vehicle (EV) technology, say unions. A new report by the Unite general union, Electric vehicles, autonomous technology and future mobility, says government inactivity is the biggest barrier to investment and innovation.
The union has set out a road map to retain skills and jobs through the transition from petrol and diesel to electric powertrains and is calling for a national car scrappage scheme to promote take-up of EVs.
This includes a “just transition” plan for workers in the transport and petroleum industries. Just transition includes measures to protect jobs and livelihoods as economies shift from reliance on fossil fuels to a zero-carbon sustainable economic model. The road map also includes defending the role of safety-critical drivers in road haulage and public transport.
The GMB general union has called on the government and National Grid to plan and invest in the major infrastructure needed to power the rise in EVs.
The TSSA transport union criticised transport secretary Chris Grayling for claiming to want to end diesel trains on the rail network while cancelling major electrification projects. It is also calling on the infrastructure support company, Amey, to take action on diesel engine exhaust emissions (DEEEs).
The union says workers examining tunnels could be at risk of cancer from prolonged exposure to DEEEs from diesel-powered road rail vehicle elevated platforms.
www.unitetheunion.org/uploaded/documents/8135_Autonomous%20vehicle_Report_A4_Finalpress11-33875.pdf