Potential support from National Grid for ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging points has been hailed as an important milestone.
According to a report in the Financial Times, the new charging points would be connected directly to the power transmission system.
National Grid is said to have overlaid maps of motorways and the electricity transmission system, and identified up to 50 strategic sites where banks of 350kW chargers could be placed.
The sites would put 90% of the UK’s drivers within 50 miles of a charger at any given time and allow them to recharge their vehicles in five to 12 minutes.
The news has been welcomed by the Renewable Energy Association (REA), of which National Grid is a member.
The REA believes a combination of home, workplace, on-street and ultra-rapid charging will be needed in the future.
REA head of electric vehicles Matthew Trevaskis said: “This is an important milestone for the development of a strategic, accessible and reliable electric vehicle charging network in the UK.
“National Grid will play an increasingly crucial role in EV rollout and it is excellent to see some big-picture thinking from them on this issue.
“The pace of progress relating to EV rollout from automotive manufacturers, charge companies and grid operators is rapidly increasing, and it is now up to government and regulators to build on the excellent work done to date and to implement documents such as the Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan.”