The UK government and Ofgem, the energy regulator, have published an Electric Vehicle Smart Charging Action Plan, which sets out steps to make smart charging the preferred method of long duration charging by 2025.
The plan states that smart charging harnesses the potential of energy use data and the latest energy innovations to deliver significant benefits for consumers, including allowing motorists to charge electric vehicles when electricity is cheaper or cleaner, allowing consumers to power their home using electricity stored in their electric vehicle, or even sell it back to the grid for profit. It is expected high mileage motorists could save up to £1,000 a year through smarter charging.
The government has also announced £16 million funding from the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP) for technologies that harness the potential of smart charging, including a smart street lamppost which will enable motorists to access smart charging on the move, and projects that will enable domestic appliances, from heat pumps to electric vehicle charge points and batteries, to integrate into a smarter energy system.
Energy and Climate Minister Graham Stuart said: “We want to make smart charging an easier choice for drivers of electric vehicles, whether that is charging on the driveway, at the workplace, or parked on the street. To do that we need to build new network infrastructure at pace, using the latest available technologies. Today’s plan sets out how we will work with Ofgem and industry to kickstart the market for smart charging, which we are backing up with £16 million in innovation funding. This will let people take control of their energy usage, in the most convenient and low-cost way.”
Ofgem Director for Strategy and Decarbonisation Neil Kenward said: “As energy regulator, we’re helping create the infrastructure to deliver Britain’s net zero future at the lowest cost to customers. This latest innovative plan will help to maximise the benefits of smart charging, offer vital savings to consumers and reduce the overall cost of energy by seizing the opportunities to use batteries to both power homes and fuel the wider grid.”
The plan also states that as of July 2022, all new charge points sold for private use will now have smart functionality, and the UK is consulting on a new policy and technical framework to unlock the benefits of domestic smart, flexible energy, and enhance its cybersecurity.
The Electric Vehicle Smart Charging Action Plan is a major step forward in the UK's efforts to reduce emissions and improve the sustainability of its energy system. The plan outlines several initiatives aimed at making smart charging the preferred method of long-duration charging for electric vehicles by 2025. By doing so, the government and Ofgem hope to deliver significant benefits for consumers, including lower energy bills, cheaper motoring, and a more sustainable, secure, and efficient electricity system.
One of the key initiatives outlined in the plan is the £16 million funding from the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP) for technologies that harness the potential of smart charging. This funding will be used to support the development of new technologies, such as a smart street lamppost that will enable motorists to access smart charging on the move and projects that will enable domestic appliances, such as heat pumps, electric vehicle charge points, and batteries, to integrate into a smarter energy system.
Energy and Climate Minister Graham Stuart said, "We want to make smart charging an easier choice for drivers of electric vehicles, whether that is charging on the driveway, at the workplace, or parked on the street. To do that we need to build new network infrastructure at pace, using the latest available technologies. Today’s plan sets out how we will work with Ofgem and industry to kickstart the market for smart charging, which we are backing up with £16 million in innovation funding. This will let people take control of their energy usage, in the most convenient and low-cost way."
Ofgem Director for Strategy and Decarbonisation Neil Kenward added, "As energy regulator, we’re helping create the infrastructure to deliver Britain’s net zero future at the lowest cost to customers. This latest innovative plan will help to maximise the benefits of smart charging, offer vital savings to consumers, and reduce the overall cost of energy by seizing the opportunities to use batteries to both power homes and fuel the wider grid."
The plan also includes several other initiatives aimed at removing barriers to the implementation of smart charging, such as improving publicly available information and evidence on smart charging, supporting the implementation of robust consumer service standards, and ensuring private charge points are secure and compatible with the latest energy innovations.
The Electric Vehicle Smart Charging Action Plan is a significant step forward in the UK's efforts to reduce emissions and improve the sustainability of its energy system. The plan outlines several initiatives aimed at making smart charging the preferred method of long-duration charging for electric vehicles by 2025, which will deliver significant benefits for consumers.
The government and Ofgem have committed to working with industry to kickstart the market for smart charging and to remove barriers to its implementation. With £16 million in innovation funding, the UK is well on its way to realizing the full potential of smart charging and building a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable energy future.
Photo by Roger Starnes Sr on Unsplash
