Annual population estimates do not exist for most UK bird species. The Avian Population Estimates Panel estimates of the for these species in 2020 and 2013 are as follows:

The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 are estimated to have a net economic benefit of up to £1.1bn (with a central estimate of £500m) by reducing the need for expensive electricity system infrastructure. This is expected to translate into lower energy bills for all consumers and support the uptake of electric vehicles by facilitating their integration into the electricity system at least cost.

An Impact Assessment was published alongside the Regulations that includes a detailed assessment of the costs and benefits that were considered in developing the regulations: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1015290/electric-vehicles-smart-charge-points-regulations-2021-impact-assessment.pdf

Government consulted on the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Point) Regulations in 2019 and received 129 responses. Last August, the Government also published the final draft Regulations and notified the World Trade Organisation of intentions to lay these, offering UK and international trade bodies a further opportunity to provide comments. No responses were received.

Since the Regulations were made in December 2021, BEIS and Office for Product Safety Standards (OPSS) officials have continued to engage extensively with industry, both individually and via trade associations, to support them in compliance. Detailed guidance was published in February, and an updated version including further clarity on issues requested by industry will be published shortly.

The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 were jointly developed by DfT and BEIS policy officials who worked closely with the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) in their development.

I have various and ongoing discussions about the Government’s policy for supporting the transition to electric and zero emission driving with my Ministerial colleagues.

The Government will continue to work with the energy sector to identify options to mitigate the impact of high energy prices on consumers, including in respect of the transition to electric vehicles. The Government is considering what reforms are needed to retail market regulation to support progress to net zero through the 2020s. In considering these reforms, we will take account of the lessons of the current market.

I have various and ongoing discussions about the Government’s policy for supporting the transition to electric and zero emission driving with my Ministerial colleagues.

The Government will continue to work with the energy sector to identify options to mitigate the impact of high energy prices on consumers, including in respect of the transition to electric vehicles. The Government is considering what reforms are needed to retail market regulation to support progress to net zero through the 2020s. In considering these reforms, we will take account of the lessons of the current market.

In 2021, Government passed regulations to mandate that private chargepoints sold in Great Britain must be smart and meet minimum device standards. The new regulations will drive the uptake of smart charging, to enable the transition to electric vehicles whilst minimising cost to consumers. The majority of these new requirements apply from 30 June 2022.

Government officials worked closely with the charge point industry to develop the regulations, and we are continuing this engagement in collaboration with the enforcement body to address any concerns or queries manufacturers may have.

We will also shortly publish a guidance document for the regulations, to assist charge point sellers, including manufacturers, in complying with these new obligations.

The UK is well placed to lead on hydrogen powered transport, and we have supported the use of hydrogen cars, vans, buses and lorries through our £23m Hydrogen for Transport programme. As of December 2021, there are fourteen publicly accessible hydrogen refuelling stations across the UK, two of which were opened in 2021 providing hydrogen for road vehicles, serving a fleet of just over 350 hydrogen vehicles (buses, cars, vans, refuse collection trucks) operating on UK roads. Additional refuelling infrastructure will be included as part of our plans to demonstrate at scale hydrogen fuel cell trucks on UK roads.

As of the 01 January 2021, there were 20,775 public electric vehicle charge points installed in the UK, an increase of 4,270 compared with 01 January 2020.

Additionally, the most recently published statistics show that as of the 01 January 2022, there were 28,375 public electric vehicle charge points installed, an increase of 7,600 compared with 01 January 2021.