UK needs a plan to power 35 million electric cars predicted to be on roads by 2050

Energy union GMB has called on the government and National Grid to plan and invest now in major infrastructure upgrading and development to ensure Britain is “ahead of the curve”.

GMB is calling for a proper plan to power the rise in electric vehicles.

According to one National Grid forecast there will be up to 35 million pure electric vehicles on the roads by 2050, with sales of new petrol and diesel cars halted by government 2040.

Justin Bowden, GMB national secretary, said: “With the government committing to ban sales of new petrol and diesel engine cars by 2040, the number of electric cars on our roads is set to rocket to anything up to 35 million, necessitating massive changes to network supply and charging point access.

“National Grid is forecasting up to 30 gigawatts of additional electricity capacity being needed by 2050 to meet peak demand. Our current capacity is 61 gigawatts.

“With the existing nuclear fleet reaching the end of its natural life over the next ten years, and coal being removed by 2025, an increase in electricity demand of 30 gigs translates into an awful lot of additional power stations.”