COVER STORY | ELECTRIC VEHICLES
their potential monthly savings
from running an electric vehicle. The
survey found that the average car
driver thinks they can save around
£30 a month; less than half the actual
saving possible.
The same survey found that an
overwhelming majority of car drivers
believe that easy interoperability
between charge points is a key factor
in deciding whether or not drivers
will buy an EV.
The Taskforce states that “the
transition to electric motoring is
now well under way”, but that the
pace must increase. Road transport
accounts for 28% of the UK’s total
energy consumption and 25%
of carbon emissions.
Philip New, Chief
Executive, Energy
Systems Catapult and the
EV Energy Taskforce
Chair said: “Ensuring
that the mass roll-out of
electric vehicles delivers
benefits for both drivers
and the wider energy
system requires actions from
industry, Government and the
regulator, including creating the
new markets and policies that can
unlock EVs’ huge potential.”
Providing EV
drivers with a
hassle-free, seamless
charging experience
requires the urgent
development of
further standards
In order to meet climate change
targets, the government has already
announced that conventionally
powered cars will be phased out by
2040. The Committee on Climate
Change estimates that the new net
zero target could mean that this date
will be brought forward. National
Grid ESO’s Future Energy Scenarios
show that 11.9 million vehicles could
be electric by 2030.5
Coordinating the introduction
of a smart charging infrastructure
will enable network
operators to balance
demand and supply
through an electricity
grid increasingly
incorporating intermittent
renewable energy sources.
EV drivers willing to charge
their vehicles during periods
of low electricity demand or when
surplus renewable energy is being
generated will benefit from lower fuel
costs in the transition ahead.
Mike Hawes, Chief Executive,
Society of Motor Manufacturers
and Traders (SMMT) said: “The
recent growth in electric vehicles
shows there is buyer appetite for
these new, exciting technologies.
Vehicle manufacturers are investing
heavily to bring more choice to the
UK but to drive uptake to meaningful
levels, this must be supported by a
long-term commitment to financial
incentives, as well as an appropriate
and highly visible charging network.
Drivers must feel confident that it is as
easy to charge as it is to pull up at a
forecourt and refuel.”
Howard Porter, Chief Executive,
BEAMA said: “Providing EV drivers
with a hassle-free, seamless charging
experience requires the urgent
development of further standards
and codes of practice that ensure
full inter-operability and sharing of
data between the vehicle and the
electricity system.”
Matt Evans, Director, Markets
at TechUK, said: “A smart grid,
delivering smart charging to smart
electric vehicles requires accessible
data. Frameworks therefore need
to be developed to facilitate the
appropriate, secure sharing of this
data.”
Achieving a high degree
of physical and transactional
interoperability across the EV
charging sector is also fundamental
to making EV ownership/use a
compelling consumer proposition.
Interoperability is also an essential
prerequisite to building a resilient
charging infrastructure that works
efficiently and securely with the
electricity system and other smart
domestic appliances, for the benefit
of consumers.
The Electric Vehicle Energy
Taskforce therefore proposes that
Government should work with
industry to accelerate the journey
towards the adoption of common
standards to achieve agreed
interoperability goals linked to
the growth of EVs. This journey
should be aimed at delivering
positive consumer outcomes, taking
lessons from other industries such
as telecoms. This is an immediate
priority.
The Electric Vehicle Energy
Taskforce recognises that the EV
charging infrastructure sector is at
an early stage of development so
fostering innovation is essential. This
should be recognised when setting
interoperability goals. The risks of
premature regulation must be taken
into account but balanced by the
benefits of common standards. !
and codes of
practice
14 WWW.EUREKAMAGAZINE.CO.UK | FEBRUARY 2020
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