Fill the Montgomeryshire ‘blackout’

The lack of electric vehicle charging points in towns like Welshpool needs to be addressed if Wales is to cope with the growing number of e-cars on the road.

The Plaid Cymru Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Simon Thomas, said the Welsh Government needs to address a “blackout” on electric vehicle charging points as it is currently “impossible to travel from north to south Wales”.

Several do exist at landmarks, like Powis Castle, and private businesses but Mr. Thomas claims there are no rapid charging points outside of the M4 and A55 corridors.

He added that if the Welsh Government is to meet its target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2020, then providing adequate infrastructure for electric vehicles was crucial.

“Whilst we should be doing everything we can to reduce our carbon footprint, between 2009 and 2015 carbon emissions actually rose by 0.5% per year on average. Over the last two years, transport emissions in Wales have risen, so we are talking about something that is as fundamental as the air we breathe,” said Mr Thomas, who is also a Mid and West AM.

“The main points available for public use are along the M4 in south Wales and the A55 in the north. The Welsh Government should really be leading the way in improving infrastructure all across Wales.

“Electric vehicles offer a potential long-term solution to improving our air quality and the Welsh Government needs to invest in it if it is serious about creating a clean, green future for the nation.”