The project is run by the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) and will involve two stages; analysing infrastructure, policy and the market for the technologies, and an on-road trial of 300 vehicles to gain customer feedback of managed charging schemes.

Nick Eraut, ETI’s project manager, said: “As well as looking at the system and market structure changes we also want to know how people would respond to a greater adoption of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, and engagement with demand management schemes, that would see them move from a niche choice of vehicle to the mainstream.”

TRL project manager, Jenny Stannard, added: “This not only provides a holistic picture of the energy demand, use and supply surrounding plug-in vehicles, but will generate the required evidence to inform policy makers and long term infrastructure investment in the UK.”