Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department are taking to encourage consumers to use (a) electric vehicle charging points and (b) heat pumps at off-peak hours.

The Government is facilitating flexibility from technologies such as smart charging of electric vehicles and flexible heating systems by delivering the Government’s Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan.

The Electric Vehicle Smart Charge Point Regulations 2021 require that domestic and workplace charge points have smart functionality.

The Government is also introducing a smart mandate which will require electric heating appliances with the greatest flexibility potential, including heat pumps, to have smart functionality. These measures will ensure consumers are able to use their charge points and heat pumps in a smart and flexible way, should they choose to.