Taskforce identifies five key conditions to hit the ‘sweet spot’ that meets consumer needs, drives uptake of electric vehicles and provides the right chargepoints in the right places

A new report from the multi-stakeholder Electric Vehicle Energy Taskforce makes an independent assessment of the scale of the EV infrastructure challenge facing industry and government if we are to fulfil the ambition of phasing out internal combustion cars and vans in time to deliver Net Zero by 2050.

The Government-backed Taskforce – representing the most wide-ranging collaboration between the UK’s energy, infrastructure and transport industries – has developed a plan to maximise the benefits and minimise the risks of the transition to electric vehicles by focusing on its energy-related impacts as well as the need for EV users to have access to the right chargepoints in the right places.

The Taskforce’s report is published shortly after the UK Government’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy said that a minimum of 300,000 public chargepoints will need to be deployed by 2030.

In support of the Government strategy the Taskforce has identified key conditions that will create the ‘sweet spot’ for success, driving uptake and enabling an efficient and successful transition to electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK. To deliver this requires coordinated action from the energy, infrastructure and automotive sectors as well as engagement from EV users.

Using Energy Systems Catapult’s transport modelling expertise, the Taskforce assessed for the first time what will be required of the UK’s public charging network to meet the needs of drivers, investors and the energy system. It shows how infrastructure can support the phase out of sales of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles between 2030-35, and deliver on the transport ambition of Carbon Budget Six.

Speaking at an event to launch the Taskforce report in Westminster, transport minister Trudy Harrison MP said:

“I’m delighted to see such brilliant collaboration across industry, as Government and the private sector comes together to make sure we’re EV-fit by the end of the decade.

“The EV Energy Taskforce’s plan comes hot on the heels of our landmark EV Infrastructure Strategy, which sets out our expectation to see around 300,000 chargers across the UK by 2030 – backed by over £1.6bn. The insight of industry is crucial as we roll out the Strategy, and I look forward to continuing to work together as we drive towards our cleaner, greener EV future.”

Philip New, CEO of Energy Systems Catapult and EV Energy Taskforce chair, said:

“A key challenge in making the UK’s ambition to electrify road transport deliverable, is to define the type and scale of infrastructure that we’ll need and agree a coherent view of the goal and the order and priority of the steps needed to get us
there. With greater certainty, we can build the confidence of those thinking of buying an electric vehicle, investing in a chargepoint or reinforcing the distribution network.

“The EV Energy Taskforce’s latest report covers a significant range of work to meet this challenge. It shows what an infrastructure that addresses consumer needs, integrates into the energy system, is investable and good value, would look like. It also highlights the key enablers required if it is to be delivered and to perform as needed.”