UK unprepared for surge in electric car use, thinktank warns.

An electric car being recharged.
Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA

The UK’s energy networks are not ready for a surge in electric cars and solar panels that is coming within the next few years, according to a report.

Clusters of the battery powered cars could result in 1% of the UK experiencing unplanned drops in voltage – potentially damaging electronic equipment – without action by 2020, the Green Alliance said.

The thinktank warned that as few as six electric vehicles located near one another, most likely in an affluent neighbourhood, could lead to such “brownouts”.

Charging one car requires a similar amount of electricity as a typical home uses in three days, and simultaneous demand at a local level could damage networks without costly reinforcements.

Ministers also recently called on electric car owners to ensure they are not charging at times of peak energy demand.




By Adam Vaughan.
Full story at Yahoo News.