How EV Charging Helps Tackle the UK Energy Crisis

News of the UK’s energy crisis is everywhere right now. In this article, we take a look at the root of the problem, the consequences of these changes across the energy market — and how EV drivers can play a part in managing these issues.

What’s the problem?

The UK energy crisis that’s currently dominating our headlines stems from a sharp jump in gas prices. These are being pushed up by increased demand, as the country opens up again following the COVID-19 lockdowns and businesses start to rebuild their operations.

This rise in gas prices has sent shockwaves through the UK’s energy market; between March and September this year, prices have quadrupled. Plus, because gas-fired power stations are generally the main contributor of energy to the grid, these price rises have — in turn — pushed up the cost of electricity. To make matters worse, renewable energy generation has been relatively low over the last few weeks due to a lack of wind.

What can we do?

The good news, amid the bad, is that EV drivers can play a hugely positive role in supporting the energy market. By using apps like the ev.energy app, drivers are able to support the grid — and help manage energy prices — through smart charging.

The ev.energy app can play a part in helping to stabilise energy prices and demand in a number of ways. It intuitively shifts charging to periods of low-energy demand, helping to reduce the demand for gas-sourced energy production at peak times — and so, reducing the volume of gas energy used overall.

At ev.energy, we also use energy forecasts to look ahead and shift charging periods from low-wind/low-sun days to sunnier, windier days — helping to maximise the opportunity for EV drivers to charge up using renewable energy. What’s more, as well as offering drivers a more sustainable option, the ev.energy app is focussed on making sure users can access the cheapest charge available to power their electric vehicle.

What are the government doing?

Not only does smart charging cut the cost of charging EVs and allow drivers to access more sustainable power — it’s also essential in terms of stabilising the energy market.

In fact, making smart charging available may soon become a requirement by law in some cases. Since 2009, the UK government has understood the value of decarbonising vehicles — from private and business-owned vehicles to public buses — and has seen it as a crucial piece of the puzzle in the fight against climate change and air pollution. It’s long been a priority to provide a public, national framework in which EVs can grow. For further information on how the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM) is looking to achieve a green, fair future, you can read their report “Enabling the transition to electric vehicles” here.

That’s why the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 was brought in; to help reach the UK’s commitment for most cars and vans to be zero-emissions vehicles by 2050. A key part of this act includes a yet-to-be-enforced power for the government to improve the EV charging infrastructure nationwide, by requiring key locations like motorway service stops to have smart charging points.

To help support the UK’s grid, boost your sustainability credentials and save money on your next charge, download the smart ev.energy app today.

‍