The Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Committee has
today launched an inquiry into
electric vehicles, the challenges they represent for the energy
infrastructure and the actions needed to support the development
of this market. This inquiry will build on the written evidence
received for the former BEIS Committee’s inquiry Electric Vehicles:
Developing the Market, which was interrupted by the General
Election.
This new inquiry brings an added focus to the challenges electric
vehicles create for the electricity grid and energy
infrastructure and builds on the
previous Electric Vehicles:
Developing the Market inquiry.
MP, Chair of the Business,
Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, said:
“Ensuring the UK is a flourishing market for electric
vehicles is important both for the future of our automotive
industry and in UK efforts to decarbonise and build a successful
low-carbon economy.
Our inquiry will examine the barriers to the development of
the electric car market, look at how it can be better supported,
and explore the huge challenges which the electricity grid faces
in meeting this additional demand. We also want to investigate
concerns that there is a ‘postcode lottery’ in charging
infrastructure with considerable variation in the availability of
charge points across the country, which must inevitably
discourage people from buying electric cars”.
The arrival of electric vehicles on the mass market creates
substantial challenges for the electricity grid, which must
balance the additional energy demand created by electric vehicles
whilst providing secure and reliable electricity supplies for the
country. It is understood that electric vehicles will require
substantial investment in new infrastructure, but there is a lack
of evidence on the extent and type of developments required, as
well as how and by whom they should be funded.
The Government’s recent Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan
provides an overview of options to exploit smart technology in
the integration of electric vehicles, but does not cover these
broader issues. Evidence submitted for the previous Committee’s
inquiry Electric Vehicles: Developing the Market highlighted the
pressing need for the Government, National Grid and the
distribution network operators to collaborate on network
reinforcement. It also indicated that electric vehicles can only
be accessible to all if charging points are widespread,
accessible, rapid and compatible with differing vehicle models.
Submitting written evidence – terms of reference
The Committee will be calling witnesses to provide oral evidence
based on the written submissions received by the former BEIS
Committee for its curtailed inquiry Electric Vehicles:
Developing the Market. We also invite written submissions in
relation to the additional points below:
a. How will increased uptake of electric vehicles, to meet the
Government’s 2040 target to end the sale of new diesel and petrol
cars, affect the electricity grid? What action is needed to
manage impacts, and to make the most of opportunities afforded by
vehicle-to-grid technologies?
b. How do charging infrastructure requirements differ for
alternative types of vehicle, journey, and user (including
fleets)?
c. How should new infrastructure for electric vehicles and
associated grid reinforcements be sustainably funded?
The closing date for submissions is Friday 4 November 2017 at
midday.
BEIS Committee
Membership of select committees was confirmed following
an agreement of the House on Monday 11 September. The new members
of the BEIS Committee are: MP (Chair) (Lab, Leeds West)
(SNP, Inverness, Nairn,
Badenoch and Strathspey) MP (Con, Stirling) MP (Lab, Hove) Mr MP (Con,
Bridgwater and West Somerset) MP (Con, Redditch) MP (Lab, Ynys Môn) MP (Con, Rugby) MP (Con, Eddisbury)
MP (Lab, Redcar)
