Skip to main content

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

  • August 5, 2022
    Connected Kerb in NYC EV project
    UK firm will be part of NYCDoT's DOT Studio initiative to drive up EV ownership
  • May 2, 2022
    VW & BP move fast on EVs
    Industry giants have partnered to build a fast-charging network across Europe by 2024
  • May 6, 2015
    Arup’s vision of urban mobility in 2050
    Arup’s vision of the Future of Highways considers a wide range of factors that will impact on mobility towards the middle of the century. In its consideration of the Future of Highways through to 2050, international consultants Arup has taken a broad and pragmatic view of where society is heading and the effects that will have on the transport requirements. In terms of major drivers it not only cites
  • May 28, 2014
    Smoothing out city freight movements
    David Crawford welcomes a national first. Urban freight movements, while commercially and socially vital, are a growing logistical headache for planners and people alike. Figures from France’s Lyon Laboratory of Transport Economics indicate that goods transport in major urban areas accounts for: 20% of traffic; 35% of CO2 emissions made by all urban trips; and 50% of the diesel used; while final km delivery runs account for 20% of the total cost of the transport chain.