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Aimed at reducing energy bills and the cost of car ownership, the Electric Vehicle Smart Charging Action Plan sets out steps to “seize on the significant potential of smart charging and make it the preferred method of long duration charging by 2025.”
Smart charging utilises energy use data to help motorists charge vehicles when electricity is cheaper or cleaner, to power their home using electricity stored in their vehicle, or even sell it back to the grid for profit.
It could save an average driver up to £200 per year and a high mileage driver up to £1,000, the government said. By delaying the power demand from EVs at peak periods, such as 4-9pm on winter evenings, the technology could help reduce electricity prices for consumers across the network.
The government also announced £16m funding for technologies that harness the potential of smart charging, including a smart street lamppost that will enable motorists to access smart charging on the move, and projects that will enable domestic appliances, from heat pumps to EV charge points and batteries, to integrate into a smarter energy system.
“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,” said energy and climate minister Graham Stuart.
“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 £16m 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.”
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