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

  • February 20, 2019
    CES 2019 says hello to the future
    The launch of the latest gadgets has made the Consumer Electronics Show into tech heaven for geeks worldwide – but there is a serious ITS component, too. Ben Spencer braves the bright lights of Las Vegas to find out more The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has been the showcase for some of the world’s most iconic gadgets – from VCRs to the Commodore 64, and from the camcorder to the launch of HDTV. This has made CES a mecca for tech heads all over the world since it began in the 1960s, but these days it
    Read More
  • April 25, 2017
    UK not prepared for growth in EV use, think tank warns
    A new report by independent think tank the Green Alliance claims that the UK government will have problems if energy systems are not improved to take account of developments in solar panels, onshore wind, electric vehicles (EVs) and battery storage. It says people are increasingly choosing to be energy owners and are able to take back at least some control over energy production. The report states, “Politicians are arguing over whether or not to subsidise renewables without seeing how technology has changed
    Read More
  • November 2, 2017
    RAC: over half of drivers believe congestion has worsened on UK major roads
    56% of 1,727 drivers questioned in an annual survey believe that congestion has worsened on UK major roads, which carries 65% of all traffic, despite them comprising only 13% of the country’s road network. The findings from the survey have been presented by the RAC’s Report on Motoring.
    Read More
  • November 15, 2022
    Asecap: get ready to rethink everything you know
    How can we make our infrastructure ready for new sustainability challenges? What kind of investments are needed? And who will finance them? Tolling association Asecap has some thoughts. Geoff Hadwick reports from Lisbon
    Read More

Highlighted Content