Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what the estimated increased impact from electric vehicles on the UK power grid system is likely to be by 2035; and what factors were considered in making that assessment.

The latest National Grid Future Energy Scenarios report was published last year and sets out the impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) on the electricity system. The electricity market is already set up to promote investment in generation capacity to meet demand; for example, the Contracts for Difference scheme facilitates significant investment in low-carbon generation.

In February this year, the Government launched a consultation on bringing forward an end to the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vans from 2040. The responses to the consultation will inform our analysis and research, to consider any future grid demand scenarios.

The Government will continue to engage with stakeholders at all stages of the electricity system, including Distribution Network Operators, to ensure they are able to fulfil required capacity. Existing mechanisms help to ensure that network and generating capacity will stay in step with growing EV demand, and our work on the smart charging of EVs, at off-peak times, can reduce demand from EV charging at peak times.