3 minute read
Cover Story
by 55 North
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Electric vehicle revolution
New regulations would see up to 145,000 extra charge pointsinstalled across England each year in the run up to 2030.
New supermarkets in England will be required to install electric vehicle charge points from next year, under new legislation announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The regulations, which also includes new homes and workplaces, would see up to 145,000 extra charge points installed across England each year, in the run up to 2030 when the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will end in the UK.
In addition, the regulations would also apply to those undergoing largescale renovations which leaves them with more than 10 parking spaces.
The government will also be going further to make it easier and simpler for people to go electric, by introducing simpler ways to pay while travelling, such as contactless, at all new fast and rapid charge points.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the CBI conference this week: “We are investing in new projects to turn wind power into hydrogen and our net zero strategy is expected to trigger about £90bn of private sector investment, driving the creation of high wage high skilled jobs as part of our mission to unite and level up across the country.”
In addition, National Highways has unveiled plans to invest £11m in around 20 energy storage systems – essentially giant battery packs – for service stations where the grid supply is not enough for rapid charging infrastructure.
Energy storage systems store energy in quiet periods, and then provide rapid high-power charging at busy times, until the motorway services can obtain increased power directly from the grid for rapid charging themselves.
Energy storage systems store energy in quiet periods and then provide rapid, high-power charging at busy times
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.
The government hopes 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.
The government aims to have around 6,000 high-powered chargers on the motorway network by 2035.
Malcolm Wilkinson, Head of Energy for National Highways, said: “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 Trudy Harrison added: “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.”
In response, ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Local shops understand that they have an important role to play in the infrastructure for electric vehicle charging, particularly those operating on petrol forecourts.
“We welcome the announcement from the Prime Minister today, but it is essential that the government provides more support to forecourt retailers and other EV charging providers to help them invest in the long-term future of the charging network in order for it to be workable for businesses and consumers.”
In addition, the government is to invest £9.4m in the Whitelee green hydrogen project to develop the UK’s largest electrolyser, a system which converts water into hydrogen gas. It has the potential to store and produce the equivalent of enough green hydrogen to fuel more than 200 bus journeys between Glasgow and Edinburgh each day
