A new independent body is calling for a mandatory smart-charging rollout to lower demand on the National Grid at peak times. The EV Energy Taskforce says that ‘smart’ charging could enable a typical electrified car driver to slash their monthly motoring energy costs by "£70 or more".

Philip New, CEO of Energy Systems Catapult and chair of the EV Energy Taskforce, told DrivingElectric: “Our task is to make sure charging isn’t a restriction on EV ownership. We need a single view, a consensus, with the engagement of different participants.”

Made up of more than 350 organisations, including BMW, BP, Ford and NPower, the Taskforce has submitted 21 key proposals for actions that would enable "the efficient integration of electric vehicles with the energy system during the electrification transition".