The role of commercial and industrial charging sites with ‘smart’ infrastructure will be essential when it comes to supporting large-scale EV roll-out by 2040.

The report predicts full electrification of the GB car fleet could lead to demand for up to 3 million charging outlets on commercial and industrial sites by 2040

That’s the finding of a new cross industry study developed by Aurora Energy Research and supported by Eaton, the Renewable Energy Association, NatWest and Lombard.

The report builds on government ambitions, reiterated in the clean air strategy last summer, for the sale of ‘conventional’ petrol and diesel vehicles to be banned from 2040 and finds that full electrification of the GB car fleet could lead to demand for up to three million charging outlets on commercial and industrial sites by 2040, opening up a £6bn investment opportunity.

The study looks at four main applications of charging at these sites: fleet vans, workplace charging, public car parks and motorway service stations, and what it will take for a profitable business case, including the additional benefits of installing Vehicle-to-Grid charging, co-located solar installations and energy storage technologies.

Commenting on the report, Dr Nina Skorupska, chief executive of the Renewable Energy Association, said: “Charging infrastructure deployment is crucial for building consumer confidence in EVs, for growing EV sales, and for achieving our Industrial Strategy goals of manufacturing EVs in the future. This report is a welcome development as it emphasises to businesses and commercial property owners that they too can benefit from the great evolutions currently underway in our transport and energy sectors.”

To request a copy of the report, click here.