To ask the Minister for Infrastructure whether she will use a Legislative Consent Motion to adopt the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 in Northern Ireland.

On 24 March 2021 a Statutory Instrument was made by the British Secretary of State for Transport to commence certain parts of the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 (the Act) including elements of Part 2 of the Act in respect of the charging of electric vehicles which applies in Northern Ireland. This commencement order is cited as the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2021. A Legislative Consent Motion will not be needed as Part 2 of the Act already extends to Northern Ireland.

My officials will continue to liaise with the Department for Transport regarding the future development of any future regulations to be made under Part 2 of the Act in relation to the installation and operation of electric vehicle and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.