Energy Magazine December 2019 | Page 57

CLICK TO WATCH : ‘ NATURAL CAPITAL - WHAT ’ S THE PROBLEM ?’ 57
25,000 charging points nationwide . However , grid capacity still poses an issue , often requiring upgrades to the local energy grid infrastructure to support connections and meet energy demand . While smart charging systems can provide a means to manage the electricity demand for charging vehicles against the grid supply , and alleviate the pressures of a widescale electric switchover , large energy distribution improvements are still required .
It is becoming apparent that , in order to move the UK towards a
zero-emission vehicle future , we need to think beyond the concept of the car . Switching all vehicles on UK roads over to battery power would address tailpipe emissions – but it wouldn ’ t solve the issue of fine particulate matter ( PM2.5 , solid particles 1 / 40th the diameter of a human hair ) which originate from brake , tyre and road wear . Such sources have been found to generate more than half of the total PM2.5 from transport .
Based on our current understanding of vehicle emissions , the capabili-
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