Part 2: Electric Vehicles: Charging Chapter 2: Policy background
The Government has stated that by 2050 nearly all cars and vans should be zero emission vehicles (zero carbon dioxide and other harmful tailpipe emissions). Government funding and private investment have already led to the development of more than 14,000 public charge points, and an initial network of hydrogen refuelling stations. Hydrogen-powered vehicles contain fuel cells which convert hydrogen into electrical energy to power the vehicles. Although the power for the electrical energy originates with hydrogen they are still considered electric vehicles. Significantly increased provision of the infrastructure relating to charging electric cars and refuelling hydrogen powered cars will be required to support mass market uptake of electric vehicles.
	At present, in the early market, there are multiple networks with different offers to consumers. The accessibility and convenience of vehicle charging and refuelling is frequently raised by consumers as a key concern in choosing to purchase and use an electric vehicle.
	Electric vehicle charging has the potential to avoid network pressures and capitalise on cheaper off peak electricity generation by modulating or delaying charging. The use of ‘smart’ charge points will help enable these services, and could provide savings to electric vehicle owners and energy bill payers.
	On 24 October 2016 the Department for Transport and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles published a consultationdocument proposing ultra-low emission vehicles measures for inclusion in the Modern Transport Bill.3 The consultation put forward proposals for new legislative powers which would allow the Government to introduce regulations to address the priorities discussed in the consultation to improve the electric vehicle infrastructure.
	The Government published its response on 9 February 2017 and confirmed its intention to bring forward its proposals, with the detail informed by consultation input from stakeholders and members of the public.4