The overwhelming majority of electric vehicle (EV) drivers would be happy to use smart charging if it cut their energy bills, according to a new study.
The study by the Energy Technologies Institute’s Consumers, Vehicles and Energy Integration (CVEI) project found 95% of EV drivers would choose smart charging to automatically avoid charging at times of peak grid demand, or when electricity is at its most expensive.
The three-year study also found 85% of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivers would favour smart charging in such circumstances.
It also found consumers were willing to pay more for an EV, as long as payback from cheaper running costs was less than five years.
In addition, 90 per cent of consumers said they would consider buying an EV if its range increased to 300 miles or a PHEV with 100 miles of range.
And the study found younger men, aged under 34 are most likely to buy PHEVS, while people aged between 40 and 60-years old are more likely to buy EVs.
The Energy Systems Catapult’s infrastructure and engineering lead, Liam Lidstone, who delivered technical input for the study, said it provides “compelling evidence” for how the increased electricity demand from EVs can be managed.
“We found that different forms of smart charging at home, appealed to between 77 per cent and 95 per cent of mainstream consumers,” said Lidstone.
“Smart-managed charging was shown to be highly successful in shifting charging away from peak times of electricity demand between 4-7pm and into the overnight period relative to unmanaged conditions.
“As well as lowering costs for all concerned, this can ensure that EVs are being charged from low carbon generation such as wind power, accelerating the journey towards net zero.
“Understanding this potential is essential, because it helps to plan effective electricity network reinforcement, make better use of cleaner renewable energy and limit the need for more polluting generation at peak times.”
It follows research from consultancy firm Delta-EE, which claims the UK “lags behind” other European countries on EV charging infrastructure.
The Delta-EE study found only 20 per cent of UK EV drivers have access to the fastest rate of home charging of 22kW or higher, compared with nearly 75 per cent of German users.
Last month, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that all charge points backed by the government’s Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme must be smart from 1 July onwards.