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

  • May 3, 2019
    Gearing up for the global electric vehicle revolution
    As transport, communications and energy networks become inextricably linked, policy makers are recognising the implications for our built environment – and the growing electric vehicle market will have a major impact on the world’s infrastructure, says Rolton Group’s Chris Evans
    Read More
  • March 26, 2021
    EU offers vision of mobility
    Major changes are in the air for ITS in Europe: José Diez of ERF considers what the European Commission’s newly-released policy strategy for sustainable and smart mobility will mean
    Read More
  • November 23, 2018
    Cut freight deliveries – improve Southampton’s air quality
    Taking the pressure off cities’ road networks can have a beneficial effect on the environment. David Crawford looks at a new economic model which seeks to quantify the societal effect of freight traffic in Southampton, one of the UK’s five most polluted cities Cuts of 60% or more in volumes of freight deliveries are being predicted - along with badly-needed improvements in air quality - from a load consolidation scheme currently being introduced in the UK port city of Southampton. The forecasts are based o
    Read More
  • October 13, 2016
    Consultation to examine how UK electricity network can prepare for increase in EVs
    The UK’s Smart EV project is launching its Consultation on Managed EV Charging at the Low Carbon Networks Innovation Conference in Manchester. The Consultation invites stakeholder views to ultimately secure a standardised industry-wide agreement for the connection, charging and control of electric vehicles. The project’s ultimate aim is to achieve agreement across a number of industries on the best way to help facilitate the roll out of controlled EV charging. In doing so, it will enable significantly
    Read More

Highlighted Content