According to the Government’s infrastructure tsar, Sir John Armitt, the upgrade of Britain’s electricity grid is not happening fast enough to meet the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales. He argues that the current grid lacks the capacity to support the switch to electric vehicles. Armitt estimates that up to £30 billion will need to be invested in grid upgrades by the end of the decade, and he is concerned that this cost will be passed on to consumers through higher bills or taxes. The expansion of the grid’s capacity also requires the installation of more miles of cables, electricity substations, and pylons, but progress is hindered by the outdated planning system in the country.
This raises concerns about the impact of the government’s net-zero ambitions on the countryside, as planning reforms may fast-track infrastructure projects that could potentially disrupt local communities. It is important to note that the current grid’s limitations are exacerbated by the transition to renewable energy sources, as the energy generated by technologies like offshore wind needs to be transported onshore.
The Daily Mail has initiated a campaign urging ministers to reconsider the 2030 target in order to facilitate the shift to electric vehicles and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. While Sir John Armitt believes that the 2030 target is achievable, he highlights the challenges associated with grid upgrades that could potentially undermine this goal. He emphasizes the need for sufficient infrastructure to support the installation of the 300,000 on-street chargers for electric cars by 2030.
Armitt argues that an electrified economy requires a more advanced and distributed grid, particularly when leveraging renewable energy sources for generation. This entails handling approximately four times the current amount of electricity by 2050. However, progress in grid upgrades is impeded by the time-consuming process of obtaining planning consent for infrastructure projects, which involves installing cables, pylons, and substations.
In addition, Lord Bamford, chairman of JCB, expresses bewilderment over the government’s exclusive focus on electric vehicles, ignoring other net-zero technologies such as JCB’s hydrogen-fueled combustion engine. The development of such technologies could offer alternatives to the significant infrastructure requirements of electric vehicles. While hydrogen fueling stations are limited in the UK compared to other countries like Germany, there is potential in exploring the use of sustainable fuels.
A poll conducted for the Daily Mail reveals that only 29% of the public feel confident about buying an electric car as their sole vehicle due to concerns regarding the current infrastructure. In contrast, 39% lack confidence in this regard. To achieve the government’s target of 300,000 chargers by 2030, approximately 110 chargers need to be installed daily on average. However, the current installation rate is only around 34 chargers per day. Furthermore, publicly available chargers are essential to meet this target as around 40% of households do not have off-street parking.
In conclusion, significant investments in grid upgrades and the installation of charging infrastructure are necessary to support the transition to electric vehicles and achieve the government’s net-zero emissions goals. However, challenges such as grid limitations, planning constraints, and the need for diversified net-zero technologies must be addressed to ensure the success of these ambitions.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
