Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the increase in demand for power as a result of any growth in electric vehicle use by (1) 2030, and (2) 2040; and what plans they have to ensure the UK's energy infrastructure meets this rise in demand.

National Grid (Electricity System Operator) published their 2018 Future Energy Scenarios on 12 July (attached) and previously produced a bespoke note on the electricity system impacts of electric vehicles (attached). The level of impact that National Grid presents is manageable by the electricity system and shows the benefits that can be provided through smart charging of electric vehicles. Therefore, the Government has taken powers in the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act to mandate that all charge points sold or installed in the UK must be smart enabled, and we are planning to consult on secondary regulations this year. In addition, the Government has established an Electric Vehicle Energy Taskforce, made up of representatives from across the automotive and energy industries and consumer groups, in order to consider these issues, alongside the wider integration of electric vehicles into the energy system. The Government is confident it will be possible to manage additional demand from greater uptake of electric vehicles through adjustments to the level of capacity secured in Capacity Market auctions.

In terms of transporting the power, network companies (including transmission operators) are regional monopolies regulated by the independent energy regulator Ofgem. Ofgem regulates the companies using a price control process called RIIO. As part of this process companies are expected to run a safe and secure network whilst adequately investing for the future and ensuring fair costs to consumers. This process ensures the network infrastructure can transport the power to where it is needed.