‘Risk of power blackouts’ unless capacity expanded for electric cars

Increasing demand for power as more people charge electric cars could result in "blackouts" in parts of the country unless suppliers create extra capacity, MPs have warned.

Drivers of electric vehicles should be incentivised to recharge batteries "little but often", otherwise demand for electricity could outstrip supply, the Commons Transport Committee said on Wednesday.

As part of efforts to reach net zero emissions targets, the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned by 2030, with hybrid vehicles - which use a combination of fuel and electricity - phased out by 2050.

MPs are examining the impact the transition could have on consumers, energy supplies and public infrastructure.

The committee urged ministers to take measures to encourage drivers to top up batteries frequently rather than recharging from empty to full in one go, which puts more strain on the electrical grid.

Its report said: "The government must mandate that industry uses price as a lever to move consumer behaviour away from conventional refuelling habits towards 'a little but often' approach."

Motorists should be persuaded to charge cars at times when the National Grid can meet total demand, such as overnight, the MPs said.

The committee also said the public must be protected from excessive pricing for public car charging. At present, it is cheaper to do this at home, putting pressure on those less able to afford the costs.

In its report, the committee also called on the government to make charging infrastructure more accessible and reliable for those living outside towns and cities.

The MPs called on ministers to work with National Grid to identify locations where the system will not be able to cope with additional usage.

Tory MP Huw Merriman who chairs the committee, said: “Unless the National Grid gains more capacity, consumer behaviour will have to alter so that charging takes place when supply can meet the additional demand.

“The alternative will be blackouts in parts of the country. We also cannot have a repeat of the broadband and mobile ‘not spot’ lottery which would mean those in remote parts cannot join the electric vehicle revolution."

He added: “To help consumers see their route to a zero emission world, choosing to run an electric vehicle must be as seamless as possible.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Our vision is to have one of the best electric vehicle infrastructure networks in the world.

“As more people make the switch to electric, we want charge points to be accessible and affordable right across the country, which is why we welcome the Transport Select Committee’s report.

“Alongside our new ambitious phase-out dates, we have announced £1.3 billion to accelerate the rollout of charging infrastructure, targeting support on motorways and major A roads to dash any anxiety around long journeys, and installing more on-street charge points near homes and workplaces to make charging as easy as refuelling a petrol or diesel car.”

Graeme Cooper, head of future markets at National Grid, said: “We’ll be working with government to map out where critical grid capacity is needed to enable the faster rollout of charging points.

“But also looking a step ahead to the needs of electric or hydrogen trucks and other forms of transport.

“There will be an uptick in demand for energy so we need to ensure that we are future proofing, putting the right wires in the right place for future demand.”