Faculty of Science and Technology

the Royal Academy of Engineering's report identified important infrastructure challenges facing the widespread adoption of plug-in cars

Last year The Royal Academy of Engineering carried out a major study into the implications of large-scale rollout of electric vehicles. This identified important infrastructure challenges that will have to be overcome before a widespread market for plug-in cars can develop.

Both the Academy and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) are pleased that the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) has taken action to address these issues in the release of their plug-in vehicles infrastructure strategy.

A Fellow of both the Academy and IET, Professor Roger Kemp of Lancaster University's Engineering Department, said: "The side of electric vehicle development most often in the public eye is the launch of new hi-tech vehicles at motor shows, but ensuring a hassle-free adoption of thousands and eventually millions of plug-in cars will require concerted effort on much less spectacular developments. These will include creating UK standard plug and sockets, smartcards and billing arrangements and reducing the bureaucracy needed to install charging points in car parks. The strategy document by OLEV addresses these mundane but essential issues.

"The strategy to encourage charging at home during the night is entirely consistent with the campaign to reduce carbon emissions and, by providing additional night time load on the grid, will make it more attractive to invest in renewable energy technologies.

"The commitment to ensure that the smart metering systems soon to be rolled out include the functionality to support smart charging of plug-in vehicles is good news as it will be an important enabler for the widespread adoption of electric cars."

Fri 01 July 2011

Associated Links

• Engineering Department