EV Energy Taskforce reports cover key elements of transition to EVs

The Government-backed Electric Vehicle (EV) Energy Taskforce has published four new reports.

They cover key elements of the electric transition in road transport, defining the conditions required to enable the UK to capture the benefits from the integration of its transport and energy systems.

The primary focus of policymakers’ attention is now moving to the UK’s EV charging infrastructure as demand for plug-in vehicles increases.

With input from more than 350 organisations, the taskforce brings together senior stakeholders from energy, infrastructure, automotive and transport sectors.

It was established in September 2018; an initiative announced at the Prime Minister’s Zero Emission Vehicle Summit in Birmingham.

The Taskforce was set up to make suggestions to Government and industry to ensure that the GB energy system is ready for and able to facilitate and exploit the mass take up of EVs.

Phase One concluded in January 2020 with the delivery of the ‘Energising our Electric Vehicle Transition’ report, presenting 21 hard-hitting proposals describing what’s needed to successfully electrify our road transport system by no later than 2050.

Phase Two delved into the detail of making the proposals actionable, with the publication in October 2020 of the in-depth report ‘Moving from Proposals to Actions’ supporting the initial, far-reaching findings and recommendations.

Phase Three of the Taskforce’s work is now focused on defining the minimum, enabling conditions required to deliver the EV charging infrastructure the country needs and to capture the potential benefits to the UK’s energy and transport systems as the transition progresses.

The taskforce has just published four reports which represent the start of these plans.

Encouraging Investment in Public EV Charging in the UK explores the different business models currently used and those expected to develop in the charging market.

Commercial EV Fleet Charging Requirements provides insights into industries’ opinion of the current EV charging options and, crucially, their views on future requirements to enable the mass uptake of EVs by fleets.

Key stakeholders from public and private sector fleet operators provide their assessments, along with those from local government, infrastructure and energy sectors.

These findings inform the EV Energy Taskforce modelling used to assess the UK's future charging infrastructure requirements.

Cyber Security and Smart Charging explores the issues and uncertainties around charging device interoperability, cyber security, data privacy and grid flexibility and stability; plus the interventions and actions urgently required to overcome these challenges.

Finally, Data Accessibility and Privacy recognises the vital importance of data privacy and security and the need to build consumer trust and confidence in EV charging systems.