EV drivers should avoid charging during peak hours

Electric vehicle owners should avoid recharging their vehicles during peak hours in order to reduce demand on the UK’s power grid.

According to Department for Transport minister, John Hayes, EV drivers need to consider the impact of the UK’s power infrastructure when charging their vehicles.

Speaking at a forum hosted by Policy Connect about the future of UK electric vehicles, Hayes said that the “demand for electric vehicles places the national grid under pressure”.

He continued: “It’s particularly important that we charge smart, so we flex demand and take advantage of spare capacity.”

He referred to government plans to increase the number of public charge points and said that the “aesthetics of electric charging points should be taken as a major consideration”.

According to energy firm SSE, most electric car owners recharge their cars immediately after work – during peak energy demand hours.

Stewart Reid, head of asset management at SSE told those at the forum that the company wishes to see timed electric vehicle charging infrastructure that works as a “plug-in overnight” system, to reduce pressure on the UK power grid during peak ours and spread out demand.