When Michael Gove announced plans last month to ban the sale of new diesel and petrol cars from 2040 he was met with complaints that Britain could not produce enough electricity to power the new generation of transport. Even among entrepreneurs in the renewable energy industry, scepticism was widespread. Justin Broadbent, 60, founder of Isoenergy, sees big obstacles to the mass introduction of electric vehicles, from a lack of charging infrastructure to a shortage of power. He says that the environment secretary’s target of 2040 is close to meaningless, describing it is a “typical government statement, pushing things out into the long grass . . . so that it will all be forgotten”. Other people are more enthusiastic. Nina Skorup ska, 55, chief executive of the Renewable Energy Association (REA), says: “We have to have that target because with that clear goal things will happen, markets will shift. If he hadn’t said something that would have been the real newsworthy aspect because other countries have already stepped up to the mark.” Innovative small and medium-sized companies will be at the forefront of preparing Britain for electric vehicles, she says, from improving batteries to providing charging points and contributing to the electricity supply with small, renewable energy generators.
Times 28th Aug 2017 read more »
