Mansfield must not be left behind in switch to electric vehicles, says MP

Mansfield MP Steve Yemm says towns like Mansfield must not be left behind in the switch to electric vehicles, after new figures showed drivers in some areas face far bigger barriers to going electric than others.

Analysis by the Open Road Partnership, covering 632 constituencies across England, Scotland and Wales, found that in the areas facing the biggest barriers, drivers are competing with over three times as many others for public and workplace chargers.

These findings also suggests that these areas also have the least off-street parking, making charging at home harder.

“I've been raising this with Government for months, and I believe we're now being heard. I want to make sure Mansfield's voice is part of this decision,” said Mr Yemm.

“People in places like Mansfield want to make choices that work for them, their families and their business. These figures show that choosing an electric vehicle is still harder here than it should be.

“If we are serious about the transition to EVs, towns like Mansfield cannot be left behind because the charging infrastructure is not there or because the cost of making the switch remains out of reach. The transition will only succeed if it is practical and affordable for communities.”

Under the current Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate, 80 per cent of new car sales must be electric by 2030, rising to 100 per cent by 2035.