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Can power network operators deliver the scale and pace of investment needed for net zero without alienating communities or causing environmental detriment? A new report from Utility Week and Hitachi ABB Power Grids explores the challenge.
4 years ago
Bulb chief executive Hayden Wood and REA boss Nina Skorupska are among 32 industry figures who have written to Boris Johnson urging him to scrap VAT on green products. While the letter states the sector was “encouraged” with the chancellor pledging investment in green infrastructure projects in the recent budget, it said there was disappointment at the “lack of policies to help people play a part in reaching net zero”.
Octopus Energy has penned a deal with Shell- backed electric vehicle (EV) solutions company NewMotion which will see the latter’s chargepoints join its Electric Juice network (EJN). NewMotion has access to more than 3,200 chargepoints over 17 different networks across the UK. In total, it allows access to more than 200,000 chargepoints across Europe.
More plug-in vehicles were registered in March than ever before, the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show. Pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles took a combined market share of 14 per cent, up from just over 7 per cent per cent last year as the number of models available to customers increased from 72 to 116. Meanwhile, Octopus Electric Vehicles has announced the launch of a new leasing service which offers a salary sacrifice scheme to employees.
A new report exploring what net zero could mean for the energy sector has identified five core business models to harness £21 billion it believes is set to be unlocked annually by 2050. The Utility 2050 project, a partnership of energy professionals, financiers and academics, concludes there needs to be a “deeper rethink” of the business models that make up the energy market and the regulation which supports them.
Ovo Energy has launched a new dedicated electric vehicle (EV) division and has appointed the co-founder of former disruptor brand Tonik Energy as its managing director. Utility Week takes a look at this and other appointments from across the sector.
Centrica has unveiled an electric vehicle (EV) fleet charging management app, allowing more drivers to charge at home, something which it says was previously difficult to administer. The new app, designed by Centrica Business Solutions, acts as a ‘virtual fuel card’ which can work with any standard charger. It features payroll integration which means it will automatically reimburse drivers wherever they charge their EV.
Electric vehicle (EV) tariff bundles being offered by energy retailers are complicated and difficult to compare, a new Citizens Advice report has concluded. The consumer charity said this could result in them choosing tariffs unsuitable for their needs.
In our latest review of sector coverage across the national newspapers, concerns about an electric car bubble are discussed. There is also an update on progress towards developing nuclear fusion. Meanwhile, Aggreko’s board has accepted a £2.3 billion private equity bid.
The chair of the customer engagement group for Western Power Distribution’s RIIO ED2 business plan has written to its chief executive, Phil Swift, to urge the company to be “more radical or ambitious” after the distribution network operator published an early draft last month. Duncan McCombie welcomed its “open and transparent approach” and “radical candour” but said most of its commitments only represent “incremental change from those currently being delivered in ED1.”
