Isle Of Wight Electric Vehicle Users Invited To Try New Rapid Charge

Electric car drivers on the Isle of Wight are being invited to try a new rapid charge, courtesy of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), later this month.

Research by SSEN has found that areas on the Island will see a dramatic increase in the number of tourists wanting to charge their electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030.

SSEN is testing innovative solutions to provide vehicle charging and is inviting drivers who own EVs with a rapid connection to charge their vehicles from a portable battery on October 29.

As increasing numbers of people switch to electric vehicles, visitors will become more likely to travel in their EVs and the local electricity network must be able to supply considerably more power.

SSEN’s research has found that areas such as Shanklin and East Cowes could see an eightfold increase in EV charging demand by 2030.  

The report found that constraints on the electricity network are expected to occur more frequently in rural locations that are popular with tourists. Ferry terminals and Shanklin were found to have suitable excess capacity in 2030 to accommodate the forecasted demand increases on the electricity network, but the lower levels of demand currently experienced in rural areas means seasonal tourists travelling by EV will have a greater impact.

On Friday October 29, local drivers owning EVs - with a rapid connection (e.g. CCS) - on the Isle of Wight are being invited to charge their vehicles from a mobile battery that will be parked at Lakeside Park Hotel in Wootton from 12 - 3pm.  

Stewart Reid, Head of Future Networks for SSEN said: 

“Mobile charging provision is just one solution that we are exploring to ensure our network can meet the needs of the communities we serve. We anticipate at least 4.3 million EVs throughout central southern England by 2050 and we are determined that our network will be ready.

"We have already published plans to invest £4.1bn in our networks and services between 2023 and 2028 which means we will be an enabler and partner for our customers in their journey to net zero.

“We are undertaking this work to ensure both rural and urban communities throughout our distribution areas are equipped for the future. The learnings from the E-tourism project are helping inform how we think about flexibility, network investment, and solutions for this transition.

“We invite all interested drivers to join us at our event on the Isle of Wight on October 29, where we will showcase our findings and demonstrate one of the potential solutions available for customers.” 

Alessandro Zanre, Senior Consultant for Element Energy, said:

“Element Energy were pleased to work with SSEN on this study on the impact of tourists driving and charging their EVs.

"SSEN is taking a proactive approach to understanding the implications of fluctuating populations in parts of the country that see large numbers of tourists and we are pleased our expertise in EVs and network impact modelling could support them.

“The Isle of Wight already sees around two million visitors per year and as their electricity demands change, the network operator must be ready. We are delighted to have played a small part in the Isle of Wight’s transition to net zero and look forward to watching its sustainable tourism develop in future.”