Electric Vehicles: the role of standards and actors in blocking or unlocking an energy transformation

Current growth rates in Electric Vehicle (EV) ownership indicate a dramatic expansion to come. This brings hope of significant benefits in terms of air quality, carbon reduction and improved user experience as well as the potential to support renewable energy growth if controlled charging can help balance the power grid. However, the realization of this promise depends on significant changes in the technical, commercial and informational infrastructure. Stakeholders including government, regulators, energy network companies, the electricity System Operator and numerous others are in the process of negotiating the rules for the integration of EVs into the electricity system. Meanwhile vehicle manufacturers and new industry entrants scan opportunities for innovative business strategies. This research will explore the early stages of this transformation while it happens. Research will explore the range of issues, actors and interests involved, business models of different actors, the logics governing negotiations and the technical and social effects of different outcomes.
The research will adopt a socio-technical approach, combining social research approaches and methods with knowledge of power systems, vehicle technology and energy markets.