To ask the Minister for Infrastructure when her Department plans to establish a cross-departmental electric vehicle taskforce.

You will be aware that I have recently announced the establishment of an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Task-Force which comprises of key organisations with a role to play in this area.

The role of this Task-Force is to consider EV Infrastructure in the context of the overarching principles of prioritising active travel (walking, wheeling and cycling) and public transport towards decarbonising our transport system. In establishing this Task-Force, I recognise the importance of having a modern, reliable public electric vehicle charging infrastructure to provide confidence to users of low emission vehicles and improving connectivity across the North.

It is planned to hold the inaugural meeting of the group, subject to the availability of representatives, this month.