Lords Select Committee to question Ministers on strategies for batteries and fuel cells
Thursday 3 June 2021
The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee will hold two evidence sessions next week as it concludes its inquiry into the role of batteries and fuel cells in achieving net-zero.
The first session at 3.30pm on Monday 7 June 2021 will explore with investors how the UK can best fund its ambitions, while the second session at 10am on Tuesday 8 June will involve a discussion with officials and Ministers about the key issues that have been raised in evidence.
Both sessions will be available to watch live or on demand at Parliament TV.
Giving evidence will be:
Monday 7 June 2021
3.30pm
- James Sprinz, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, Energy Impact Partners Europe;
- Dr Jeffrey Chamberlain, Chief Executive Officer, Volta Energy Technologies, LLC; and Board Member at Faraday Institution;
- Beverley Gower-Jones, Managing Partner, Clean Growth Fund; and
- John Bromley, Head of Clean Energy Strategy, Legal and General Capital.
Possible questions
- What are the different stages of investment needed for technologies such as batteries or fuel cells, from development through to mass production?
- Who is making major investments at each stage for batteries and fuel cells in the UK?
- What are the key considerations when making these investment decisions?
- What signals do investors need from Government, in terms of policy, regulations, investments or other support for the sector, and how does the UK compare to competitors in these respects?
Tuesday 8 June 2021
10am
- Dr Bob Moran, Deputy Director, Head of Environment Strategy, Department for Transport;
- [Representative of the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy]
11am
- Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, Minister of State (Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth), Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy; and
- Rachel Maclean MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department for Transport.
Possible topics
- Whether the UK will be ready for the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans
- Whether the UK can secure critical materials and build supply chains for vehicle manufacturing
- Challenges of re-skilling the auto industry for the transition to low-carbon vehicles
- Exploiting wider applications of batteries and fuel cells
- Importance of research and development for improved technologies.
