Huge rise in electric vehicles predicted

MORE than 119,000 electric vehicles could be on the roads by 2050, an energy firm has claimed.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Network reckons the growth is possible even though Portsmouth had around 415 in 2019.

It comes as the firm compiled its Distribution Future Energy Scenario report to study the impact of the government’ net zero target.

The same report said Portsmouth will have 76,000 heat pumps by 2050, up from approximately 105, and 45MW of solar PV capacity, up from 4MW.

Andrew Roper, SSEN’s distribution system operation director, said: ‘This report is a valuable tool in informing and supporting the communities we serve transition to net zero in a secure and cost-effective manner.

‘This will mean a significant increase in EVs on the roads which will require charging infrastructure, heat pumps in our homes and small-scale renewables on our rooftops. ‘Data sharing will be critical in the net zero journey. That’s why we have made this data publicly available and will continue to work alongside the households, businesses and communities we serve to deliver a fair, cost-effective and secure transition to a net zero future.’

SSEN is responsible for the safe and secure supply of electricity to over 8m people in 3.8m homes and businesses in central southern England and north Scotland.

Portsmouth City Council has previously pledged to make Portsmouth net zero carbon emissions by 2030.