The Government-backed Electric Vehicle (EV) Energy Taskforce has published four new reports covering key elements of the switch to electric vehicles and the requirements for a successful transition.

The Taskforce is now moving into phase three of its work, focused on defining the minimum conditions required to deliver the EV charging infrastructure as the transition to EVs progresses

The Taskforce, established by energy and transport ministers at the Zero Emission Vehicle Summit in September 2018, brings together senior stakeholders from the energy, infrastructure, automotive and transport sectors.

After setting out proposals to successfully electrify our road transport system by 2050 and how to put them into action, the Taskforce is now moving into phase three of its work, focused on defining the minimum conditions required to deliver the EV charging infrastructure as the transition to EVs progresses.

The four reports represent the start of these plans and include a publication on ‘Encouraging Investment in Public EV Charging in the UK’.

The study explores the different business models currently used and those expected to develop in the charging market, and provides policymakers with the information and analysis required to make clear, bold decisions to help remove the barriers to charging.

An analysis of ‘Commercial EV Fleet Charging Requirements’ has also been published and provides insights into industries’ opinion of the current EV charging options and, crucially, their views on future requirements to enable the mass uptake of EVs by fleets. Key stakeholders from public and private sector fleet operators provide their assessments, along with those from local government, infrastructure and energy sectors.

The findings are being used to inform the EV Energy Taskforce modelling used to assess its future charging infrastructure requirements.

The third report covers ‘Cyber Security and Smart Charging’ and explores the issues and uncertainties around charging device interoperability, cyber security, data privacy and grid flexibility and stability; plus the interventions and actions urgently required to overcome these challenges.

The Taskforce adds that such work “necessitates a collaborative, iterative approach by all stakeholders to now define and advise government on the standards and specifications needed to ensure an efficient, equitable and affordable roll-out of smart EV charging infrastructure in the UK”.

The final study explores ‘Data Accessibility and Privacy’ and maps out the EV data requirements for smart charging between the network, charge point, vehicle and consumer, providing a gap analysis to identify what additional data is needed, how it should be provided and under what conditions. It also identifies the key issues we face and offers data solutions for optimising the UK’s energy system to deliver better consumer outcomes and policy decisions.