CHARGE TO THE FUTURE

Smart meters could help those with electric cars save energy, and futureproof our power grid at the same time

From cutting emissions to saving on petrol costs, we're all pretty well versed in the benefits of electric vehicles now. They're crucial for the future of travel - both for this country and globally. But making the move to electric creates a big challenge for our energy systems.

Supplying enough electricity, at the right times, for us all to charge our cars is not something our current system was built for. Especially if we want to avoid replacing petrol with more coal or gas generated electricity.

If we all went home tonight and started charging our EV at 6pm, our energy system wouldn't cope. We would need to fall back on fossil fuel supplies to get us through peak periods.

THE GREAT BRITISH PLUG-IN