Research commissioned by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has found that areas of the Isle of Wight will see a dramatic increase in the number of tourists wanting to charge their electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030.
SSEN is testing innovative solutions to provide vehicle charging and is inviting drivers who own EVs with a rapid connection to charge their vehicles from a portable battery on 29th October 2021.
The resident population of the Isle of Wight is around 140,000 but these numbers swell during the summer months. As increasing numbers of people switch to electric vehicles, visitors to the Isle of Wight will become more likely to travel in their EVs and the local electricity network must be able to supply considerably more power. SSEN’s research has found that areas such as Shanklin could see an eightfold increase in EV charging demand by 2030.
E-tourism: charging demand by electric vehicles on the Isle of Wight, commissioned from Element Energy, examines the impacts of tourists’ EVs in 2030 on 4 popular locations in the Isle of Wight: East Cowes Ferry Terminal, Shanklin, the Southampton Ferry Terminal, and an upcoming tourist attraction, Woodland Resort. The report finds:
- Seasonal tourism can increase EV charging demand eightfold when comparing peak winter and peak summer demand.
- Constraints on the electricity network are expected to occur more frequently in rural locations that are popular with tourists. Both ferry terminals and Shanklin were found to have suitable excess capacity in 2030 to accommodate the forecasted demand increases on the electricity network but the lower levels of demand currently experienced in rural areas means seasonal tourists travelling by EV will have a greater impact.
- By effectively utilising EV smart charging, the number and frequency of constraints on the network can be reduced significantly. This can be used to defer and minimise network reinforcement costs, providing a cost-effective and efficient solution for the customers and communities served.
SSEN is committed to exploring how demand increases can be accommodated in a cost-effective manner and is exploring alternative solutions to traditional network reinforcement. On Friday 29th October 2021, local drivers owning EVs with a rapid connection (e.g. CCS) on the Isle of Wight are being invited to charge their vehicles from a mobile battery that will be parked at Lakeside Park Hotel (Isle of Wight, PO33 4LJ) from 12:00 – 15:00.
Stewart Reid, Head of Future Networks for SSEN said:
“Mobile charging provision is just one solution that we are exploring to ensure our network can meet the needs of the communities we serve. We anticipate at least 4.3 million EVs throughout central southern England by 2050 and we are determined that our network will be ready. We have already published plans to invest £4.1bn in our networks and services between 2023 and 2028 which means we will be an enabler and partner for our customers in their journey to net zero.
“We are undertaking this work to ensure both rural and urban communities throughout our distribution areas are equipped for the future. The learnings from the E-tourism project are helping inform how we think about flexibility, network investment, and solutions for this transition.
Article continues below this advertisement “We invite all interested drivers to join us at our event on the Isle of Wight on October 29th, where we will showcase our findings and demonstrate one of the potential solutions available for customers.”
Alessandro Zanre, Senior Consultant for Element Energy said:
“Element Energy were pleased to work with SSEN on this study on the impact of tourists driving and charging their EVs. SSEN is taking a proactive approach to understanding the implications of fluctuating populations in parts of the country that see large numbers of tourists and we are pleased our expertise in EVs and network impact modelling could support them.
“The Isle of Wight already sees around two million visitors per year and as their electricity demands change, the network operator must be ready. We are delighted to have played a small part in the Isle of Wight’s transition to net zero and look forward to watching its sustainable tourism develop in future.”
Oh how wonderful……. For Tourists! Unfortunately those of us who live here in terraced or non driveway homes will still not be able to enjoy(?) an EV due to the fact that we cannot have a charger installed anywhere that is acceptable or ensures that we could even park near enough to plug the thing in, not to mention the costs and planning required to dig up a footpath and stick a post at the kerbside. Like it or not, an EV is absolutely impossible for a HUGE amount of Islanders and will remain a pipe dream.
This is not just an issue for those on the island. It’s the same for anyone everywhere living in terraces and flats with no gardens.
EV I though the article was about Extra Virus…. EV is unviable here for locals, the vehicles are too expensive and most islanders wages are low so they could never afford an EV car.
If they run out of electric charge, EV’s have a tank of smug on the drivers seat they can use.
I take it Mr and Mrs Smug are unaware that their upwards of £50,000 to buy EV is brimming with planet raping and polluting minerals and with 100kw fast charge requirements in 30 mins they uses the same energy as 12 average homes per day. So while they save the planet ( ha ha ha ) home dwellers are switching off their kettles (1kw hour ) to save energy and lower their bills….
Will the last one to leave please turn off the lights….
Dont mention the truth about the impact of these dirty battery cars on the enviroment, you will upset the greenwashed who believe the overweight lump they are driving is not polluting, well it is.
The idea is that EVs have the capacity to, eventually, run on fully renewable sources. Most will agree that right now this isn’t a possibility, but with enough investment it absolutely is.
There are plenty of arguments against EVs, but there’s no getting past the fact that we are going to run out of oil within most of our lifetimes.
Also, an average EV battery requires 30kWh per 100 miles, an average UK home consumes 10kW per day of electricity, and 30kWh per day of gas – please remember that we use gas, which will also run out, for our most energy using systems of heating and hot water.
EVs come in all price ranges, used EVs can be less than £5k and new from around £20k which is similar to ICE cars these days, in fact, some EV finance deals are cheaper than the ICE equivalent, especially with running costs and service being so much lower.
Refining, transporting, extracting and drilling for oil is hardly a low energy consuming process don’t forget, the EV still uses far less energy overall, and it can come from solar panels or wind turbines on your property. Ultimately, having no car is the lowest carbon option, but if you have to have a car, an EV is the best option hands down. Especially on a small island like IoW.
If only someone could invent a vehicle battery a lot smaller like one used for a rechargeable lawnmower
then all motorists in any type of accommodation could charge them up indoors
Technology is getting better
“Seasonal tourism can increase EV charging demand eightfold when comparing peak winter and peak summer demand.“
What a ridiculous statistic!
Of course there will be a much greater demand in the summer main tourist season compared to the winter when there are VERY few visitors!