Western Power Distribution releases Electric Vehicle Strategy

Western Power Distribution (WPD), a PPL subsidiary serving as the distribution network operator for Wales and the Midlands and South West regions of England, recently released its Electric Vehicle Strategy, becoming the first DNO to launch such a plan.

“On average, an electric vehicle (EV) uses the same volume of electricity as a domestic house,” WPD Policy Manager Paul Jewell said. “At WPD we’re used to designing networks for housing so it’s a case of adapting our existing methodologies to ensure EV charging can be accommodated in the most efficient and economic way.”

WPD developed the strategy in consultation with local authorities, fuel station operators, government departments, the Welsh government, Go Ultra Low Cities, house builders, vehicle manufacturers, fleet operators and Local Energy Partnerships.

WPD’s business plan forecasts that, by 2023, 217,000 chargers will be connected to its network. WPD has said it on track to achieve those volumes. To meet the 2040 deadlines for banning sales of new gasoline and diesel-powered cars, more than 3 million EVs will need to be introduced into WPD’s area by 2023.

“WPD is already planning ahead,” Jewell said. “We do not want today’s purchasers of new properties to be faced with service upgrades in the future because we did not think ahead.”