With transport accounting for approximately a quarter of UK carbon emissions (and road traffic accounting for 80% of that), the decarbonisation of transport is a must if 2050 targets are to be met.  A number of technologies to address this issue have been developed over the last decade, including hydrogen fuel cell systems, biofuels, biogas and syngas, electric batteries and electric trams.  However, the food vs fuel land restrictions and emphasis on reducing organic waste have possibly steered the majority solution away from biofuels and biogas towards electric vehicles, including hydrogen fuel cells, although bioenergy can still have a significant part to play.

The electric vehicles themselves have developed apace and a combination of some cutting edge new cars and the car majors all rolling out their new electric and hybrid versions means that the consumer has a wide range of vehicles to consider already, with plenty more coming through.

What is interesting is the other side of the “chicken and egg” paradigm, namely the infrastructure that supports these vehicles.  This covers a range of different technologies, solutions and business models, including

• Battery charging technology advancement, such as fast battery charging
• Battery development
• In-journey battery exchange clubs
• Smart battery charging and vehicle-to-grid systems
• Off grid renewable energy charging
• Hydrogen fuel cells
• Hydrogen refilling stations
• Electric trams
• Battery-driven trains
• Hub and spoke logistics recharging networks

The road to decarbonisation has been bumpy, with experiences in London illustrating some of the first-mover problems, with more than half of the electric car recharging stations out of service, caused by there being 6 different technologies, a range of different ownership structures and unclear maintenance responsibility.  The hydrogen refilling network has still to reach a critical mass and the cost and perceived limitations of electric vehicles for the consumer means that the take-up has not reached the mass market yet.

However, this is all on the cusp of changing for the better.  This event will look at the main drivers for this change, the hurdles that are still to be overcome and the likely way forward over the next 5, 10 and 25 years.

Agenda:

5.30pm Registration

6.00pm Welcome – Matt Bonass, Bird & Bird

6.10pm Introduction – Clive Hall, Rushlight Events

6.15pm An Overview of Electric Vehicles Infrastructure today -    

6.40pm Accelerating the Electric Vehicle Revolution – DfT invited

7.00pm Technology Developments –

7.20pm Panel augmented by

                               Bird & Bird

                               Charging company

                               Car major