The challenge of finding somewhere to rapidly charge electric
vehicles on a long journey could become a thing of the past
thanks to a multi-million-pound investment from National
Highways.
The government-owned organisation plans to invest in Energy
Storage Systems - essentially giant battery packs – for service
stations where the grid supply is not enough for rapid charging
infrastructure.
The announcement comes following Transport Day at COP26, which
focused on the global transition to zero emission transport, an
aim of both the government and National Highways.
It’s hoped the move will bring an end to ‘range anxiety’ by
improving the network of charge points for EV drivers using
England’s motorways and major A-roads.
These rapid chargers are part of Government’s vision for the
rapid charge point network in England which set the goal of
around 6,000 high powered chargers on the motorway network by
2035.
Malcolm Wilkinson, Head of Energy for National Highways, said:
“We are working differently and innovating to support the switch
to zero emission journeys.
“Whilst we have limited control over the number of petrol and
diesel cars on the network, by supporting the expansion of the
rapid charge points network, we hope to increase EV drivers’
confidence for all types of journeys, both long and short.
“These new Energy Storage Systems and the rapid chargers they
supply will ensure that motorists are unlikely to be caught
without somewhere to charge, which is a fantastic move for
drivers and the environment accelerating the speed in which we
transition to new electric vehicles.”
Transport Minister said: "Our vision is to
have one of the best electric vehicle infrastructure networks in
the world and we want charging to be quick and easy for all
drivers.
“This additional investment will ease drivers’ range
anxiety as we continue to power up the green revolution.”
Caption: Storing energy in quiet
periods, ESSs then provide rapid high-power charging at busy
times, until those motorway services can obtain increased power
directly from the grid for rapid charging themselves
With the growth in demand for high powered charge points comes
pressure to provide the power to supply these, especially at the
furthest reaches of the Strategic Road Network (SRN)
Around 20 Energy Storage Systems will temporarily bridge this
gap, storing energy in quiet periods to provide rapid high-power
charging at busy times, until those motorway services can obtain
increased power directly from the grid for rapid charging
themselves.
Investing £11 million, National Highways is currently discussing
the move with prospective suppliers and plans to install the
energy storage systems, which will connect to the motorway
services operators’ charge points, within the next two years.
With petrol and diesel vehicles the largest carbon emission
contributor on the roads, it’s hoped easier access to increased
numbers of high powered charge points will increase driver
confidence in electric vehicles on longer journeys, encouraging
people to make the switch.
National Highways has previously demonstrated its commitment to
electric vehicles but is among a host of measures its taking to
improve air quality and tackle carbon emissions from road
transport as the UK takes steps to become a zero-carbon economy
by 2050.
The company has invested £12.5 million into local authorities to
encourage businesses with diesel van fleets to make the switch to
electric.
The scheme has been made possible by National Highways’
Designated Funds programme designed to benefit people, the
economy and the planet with an overall investment of £936m
between 2020 and 2025.
National Highways has also invested in 72 new state-of-the-art
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) for it traffic officer
rapid response fleet.
The new vehicles are set to cut around 250 tonnes of
CO2 emissions a year while providing 4x4 capability
and supporting a target to clear 86 per cent of motorway
incidents within one hour.
The moves are all part of National Highway’s net zero carbon
plan, which will see it rapidly cut carbon from road
construction, maintenance and operations, and support the
transition to zero emission vehicles.
It has already stated sustained action towards
decarbonising England’s motorways and A-roads so they can
continue to bring significant benefits to motorists,
communities and businesses in a net-zero future.
The plan will put roads at the heart of Britain’s net zero future
through three key commitments; achieving net zero for its own
operations by 2030; delivering net zero road maintenance and
construction by 2040; and supporting net zero carbon travel on
our roads by 2050.
You can read the full net zero
plan here.
