NIC releases assessment to prepare UK for EVs and AVs

The UK government, energy regulator Ofgem and local authorities should enable the rollout of charging infrastructure to allow close to 100% electric vehicle (EV) sales by 2030, says The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC). The NIC has published its National Infrastructure Assessment to set out a long-term vision for sustainable economic infrastructure and help prepare the UK for the growth of EVs and autonomous vehicles. NIC’s assessment recommends Ofgem to regulate the interaction between EV c
July 16, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
The UK government, energy regulator Ofgem and local authorities should enable the rollout of charging infrastructure to allow close to 100% electric vehicle (EV) sales by 2030, says The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC).


The NIC has published its National Infrastructure Assessment to set out a long-term vision for sustainable economic infrastructure and help prepare the UK for the growth of EVs and autonomous vehicles.

NIC’s assessment recommends Ofgem to regulate the interaction between EV charge points and the electricity network as well as work with the government to set minimum standards for a network of interoperable, smart charge points. In addition, Ofgem should commission electricity network operators to work with charge point providers to identify potential investments required to accommodate charging infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the report calls on the government to require local authorities to collaborate with charge points providers to allocate 5% of their parking spaces by 2020 and 20% by 2025 which may be converted to EV charge points.

For rural and remote areas, the NIC believes the government should subsidise the provision of rapid charge points by 2022.
 
The government should establish a centre for advanced transport technology in the 1837 Department for Transport to bring together work on technological innovation and ensure it is central to future investment proposals, the NIC adds.

David Beddell, chair of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering's road group, urges the government to follow through with the investment needed to future-proof UK roads.

“The assessment has highlighted the need for subsidies to help the spread of charging points in rural areas and targets for local authorities to bring electric charging to their parking spaces,” Bedell adds.

Bedell also welcomes the creation of a centre for advanced transport technology to ensure a smooth transition for connected and autonomous vehicles.
 
“On a broader level, we welcome the autonomy the report recommends to devolved administrations, which will help ensure funding is directed to where it is most needed at a regional level for all infrastructure projects, including roads,” Bedell concludes.

UTC

Related Content

  • October 23, 2017
    UK Government announces funding for Smart Mobility Lab in London
    A consortium led by TRL has been awarded £13.4 million ($10.1 million) of the UK government's £51 million ($38 million) Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) testbed funding to create a Smart Mobility Living Lab (SMLL) in Greenwich and nearby Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, London. The funding is part of the £100 million ($75 million) UK CAV test bed competitive fund and is the first investment by government and industry through Meridian to develop a national CAV testing infrastructure.
    Read More
  • April 30, 2019
    Report calls for per-mile road charging scheme in London
    London’s mayor Sadiq Khan has been urged to replace the city’s existing road charge schemes with a single system that charges drivers per mile. Called City Move, the scheme would apply in areas of high demand and poor air quality. Rates would vary by vehicle emissions, local levels of congestion and pollution and availability of public transport alternatives – but would be set before the journey begins. A report by thinktank Centre for London - Green Light: Next Generation of Road User Charging for a Hea
    Read More
  • April 28, 2020
    90,000 e-truck charge points needed, says Scania boss
    European auto group calls for massive increase in charging points for electric trucks.
    Read More
  • June 11, 2019
    AVs in the Netherlands? Don't forget the bikes
    The Netherlands’ famous love of bicycles could be a problem when it comes to the deployment of autonomous vehicles there. And there might be other obstacles, finds Ben Spencer Of all the countries on the planet, the Netherlands is most ready to start deploying autonomous vehicles (AVs), according to a survey by KPMG earlier this year. On the face of it, this is good news: coming first out of 25 countries listed in the Autonomous Vehicles Readiness Index (AVRI) for the second consecutive year puts the Du
    Read More

Highlighted Content