Synopsis of BEIS committee's evidence session on developing the market and infrastructure for electric vehicles

The witnesses were:
Andrew Burgess, Associate Partner, Energy Systems Integration, Ofgem
Graeme Cooper, Director for Electric Vehicles, National Grid
Stewart Reid, Chair, Energy Networks Association Low Carbon Technologies Working Group

Committee chairman Rachel Reeves MP opened the session by asking about the extra electricity capacity needed by 2040 or 2050. Assuming nine million vehicles by 2030, depending on several factors, Graeme Cooper reckoned there would need to be 8 gigawatts of new power generation without smart charging. That could be cut by three quarters by managing when charging happened. But the reality was not all charging would take place at the same time.

Peter Kyle MP asked about the capacity of the grid and implications for charging EVs if more people converted to electric heating. Graeme Cooper highlighted the importance of smart solutions, a subject referred to throughout the hearing. Andrew Burgess said it would be necessary to adapt regulations and to look after the interests of all consumers.

Addressing a question by Vernon Coaker MP about assumptions for the next 22 years, Graeme Cooper said customer behaviour would drive the industry and solutions would need to adapt. But Mr Coaker pointed out the problem of preparing in advance for changes in requirements which could happen quickly. Stewart Reid said development of renewable energy was constrained at the moment and that could be ‘de-constrained’ if necessary.

Mr Cooper said National Grid would actively support bringing the target forward to 2030. Andrew Burgess agreed with Stewart Reid that the industry would be consumer-driven. The key lesson from the uptake of solar energy was that everyone had to be alive to the pace of change and able to react more quickly.

Mark Pawsey MP asked where extra demand for electricity would come from. Graeme Cooper talked about the need to overcome ‘range-anxiety’. The key to this was ensuring sufficient power at motorway service stations. That could be easily done, but might require government intervention. Mr Burgess said one of Ofgem’s roles was to ensure there was a fair and even distribution of costs.

Antoinette Sandbach MP asked about the requirement of different types of charge points and the benefits of smart metering and smart charging. Andrew Burgess said the greater the cost someone imposed on the system, the more they should pay. Regarding the problem of rural consumers, Stewart Reid said there was an incentive on consumers to find the cheapest way of charging their vehicles. But there were options, including installation of energy storage devices.

Replying to Ian Liddell-Grainger MP, Graeme Cooper envisaged a system of bundling, similar to mobile phones, whereby people might lease cars and pay for the energy required for that car.

On the subject of different types of chargers, Mr Cooper told Vernon Coaker that adaptors worked well but the automotive industry was coalescing around one or two types of charge points, so there would be more commonality going forward. Mr Burgess said Ofgem wanted consumers to be protected from too much risk.

Stewart Reid explained the concept of smart charging in cars and agreed with Graeme Cooper that it didn’t matter whether the smart technology was in the car or at the charge point. He thought the government took the same view.