The Electric Vehicle Energy Taskforce has launched its report “Energising our Electric Vehicle Transition”, the culmination of a years work on the impact of EV’s on our energy system and how that system can enable the roll out of EVs that the UK requires.  Burges Salmon is delighted to have been acknowledged in the Report.

https://www.lowcvp.org.uk/projects/electric-vehicle-energy-taskforce.htm

The key points to note are; 

-chargepoints and the supporting infrastructure need to be designed and operated within and as part of, a smart grid

-private EV chargepoints should charge smartly by default thereby forcing consumers to make a decision to opt out if that is their wish

-there is an opportunity to reduce the costs of the UK's EV rollout if the charging of EVs acts as a flexible resource for our electricity system for example, by helping balance the output from increased renewable generation

-smart systems can only work if consumers accept and embrace them.  This means offering choice, convenience and rewards to consumers for the smart and flexible services

-consumers will need to trust that their data will be safe

-smart charging will need to be supplemented by a network of fast and ultra-fast chargepoints

-we must have interoperability – this means an EV can be plugged into any chargepoint

-the cost of electricity at the chargepoints needs to be transparent and fair

-industry and Government should provide appropriate support, advice and protection for consumers on the EV customer journey

-private sector investment is needed to deliver sufficient charging infrastructure and those investors need confidence that the electricity system [DNOs/ Grid] will facilitate this delivery so that electricity network infrastructure is forward planned and coordinated with the EV charging rollout

-the Net Zero target was enshrined in legislation while the Taskforce was deliberating and  only make these proposals more important

 

The Taskforce accepts that it has not addressed;

-decarbonising the UK's commercial fleet

-it is likely that some consumers will enjoy a better charging experience than others because of locations, type of property etc.

-operating and maintaining chargepoints is very different to O&M of petrol stations

-finding the right balance of competition and regulation.  On this last point our view is that regulation is needed but cannot be so prescriptive that is stifles innovation and cost reduction. It needs to set a framework within which the best competitive solutions will win out.