owners of electric cars (EVs) could be incentivised with less expensive electricity rates or penalised with much more expensive ones depending on when they charge their cars, according to the industry regulator.
Ofgem says EV owners ought to be provided clearly signposted less expensive rates if they charge their cars during off-peak periods. but consumers plugging in their cars during times of high demand could face much more expensive energy bills. customers could also be charged less for electricity during sunny or windy periods, when much more renewable energy is generated from solar farms and wind turbines.
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Previous research from Ofgem has found that if 40 per cent of current automobile owners switched to an EV, almost a third all ‘low-voltage networks’ (which carry power from transformers to customers) would have to be upgraded. but if ‘flexible’ charging was used, over 60 per cent much more EVs could be charged up before network “reinforcement” is required, ultimately saving money for bill payers.
One model of flexible charging would see smart meters indicate off-peak or inexpensive times to consumers, who could then charge their cars much more cheaply. Automated charging could also make optimal use of the network, with EV chargers turning on of their own accord during periods of low network demand.