Written question asked by Baroness Randerson (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 6 February 2020, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 February 2020. It was answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank (Conservative) on Friday, 14 February 2020 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Electric Vehicles

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what strategies are in place to increase capacity in the energy grid network across the UK to meet increased demand from electric vehicles.

Answer

Ofgem, the independent energy regulator, ensures – through the RIIO regulatory framework – that there is sufficient investment in electricity networks to deliver our net zero target and enable the transition to electric vehicles, whilst ensuring costs are kept down for consumers.

This is alongside numerous measures to prepare the electricity system for new sources of demand, including electric vehicles.

‘Smart’ charging of electric vehicles can reduce demands from EV charging at peak times to help manage grid capacity. The Government recently consulted on secondary legislation to mandate that all charge points sold or installed in the UK must be smart enabled.

In 2018, the Government established an Electric Vehicle Energy Taskforce. The Taskforce has now reported and published 21 proposals for Government, industry and Ofgem on how we can ensure the energy system is ready for the mass uptake of electric vehicles. Government is actively considering these proposals.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL1415
Session: 2019-21
Subjects: Electricity generation Electric vehicles
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Electric Vehicles

Secondary information

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