Written evidence from David Partridge (ELV0092)
To whom it may concern
The National grid network will need extensive upgrading ahead of the enhancement of electric vehicles, what progress is been made and to what time scale is the lack of this basic resource being addressed? It would certainly deter me from having an electric car.
The home chargers require 7.5 KWH. People are already being paid to reduce consumption; solar farms are unable to connect because of lack of capacity e.g., it will take at least 5 years before a development by Torbay Council to be connected.
The seemingly focus on Lithium batteries is in my view short sighted, there is significant environment impact in mining and processing Lithium, there are other options such as Sodium Iron, battery development needs to be placed before mass implementation.
Hydrogen powered vehicles do not pollute towns and cities, if the gas is produced by electrolytic process from renewable sources there would be very little environmental impact. Hydrogen powered vehicles already exist, but it is almost impossible to source fuel for them.
My opinions are from a 5-year Automotive Apprenticeship and years of experience in the industry and also City and Guilds qualifications in Electronics.
Kind regards