Speaking in Stormont this morning, I was pleased to voice my complete support for a gradual move toward the electrification of Northern Ireland's motor industry. It cannot be denied that the environmental benefits of moving to an all-electric system are plentiful, with the increase in air quality, bought on by a reduction in pollution, bound to make Antrim an even more pleasant place to live and work.
The electric car has a huge capacity for good. Not only are they efficient, with some reports saying that owning an electric car could be the same as planting 150 trees, but they also improve air quality.
It is clear, the evidence speaking for itself, that the benefits of electrical cars are many. However, there must be clearer structures in place to support the less-well-off, and to ensure that the second hand car market is not crushed by this move.
We need to ensure that protections are in place for historic and classical car owners.
Under the current proposals, owners of historic and classical cars, which are all petrol or diesel powered, could see their vehicles become illegal. In many cases, this would require the vehicles to be scrapped outright, which seems a little unfair to car owners and collectors alike.
Ensuring that low-income families can afford the switch is a must.
As has already been pointed out in the Chamber, there are few methods of supporting low-income families included in the bill. Ideally some form of scrappage grant scheme could be implemented by the Executive to support this move.
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