David Watson, CEO of Ohme Comments on Bloomberg NEF forecast on electric vehicle production –

David Watson, CEO of Ohme

David Watson, CEO and Founder of Ohme told TechRound:

“It’s encouraging to see from the Bloomberg NEF forecast that electric vehicle (EV) production cost is predicted to fall below that of fossil fuel vehicles by 2027. Falling costs continue to lower barriers to adoption and help us on our way to an electric future.

“However, lowering production cost is just one piece of the puzzle needed to make the transition a reality.  Whilst cheaper production will translate to cheaper EVs in showrooms, the cost of keeping that new vehicle on the road is every bit as important to the consumer. The industry needs to think holistically about ensuring EVs are affordable to run, as well as to buy.

“The answer lies in smart-charging. Smart charging enables drivers to draw power from the grid into their EVs at times of peak supply, when energy is cheapest. In some cases, drivers can even be paid to charge using smart charging technology – making EVs extremely cost efficient to run.

“For example, using a smart-charging app like Ohme’s with a time-of-use (TOU) tariff brings down the approximate cost of driving 10,000 miles down to £167 annually for Nissan Leaf drivers, and to £208 for Tesla X drivers. That’s compared to £444 and £556 respectively using ‘dumb’ charging with the same cars, or approximately £1600 for petrol vehicles covering the same distance. Prioritising innovative technologies that can reduce the day to day operating costs of an EV will be critical if EVs are to become the norm.

“And the benefits of smart tech do not just end there. As the cost of EV ownership falls and we see more EVs on the roads, our national grid must be better equipped to withstand the power demand that comes with a huge influx of EVs.  By using smart charging technology, we can prevent power surges which might otherwise be caused by large numbers of EV drivers plugging in at the same time.  Smart charging platforms use data insights to shift energy demand by time and location allowing electricity to be consumed effectively and sustainably, and ultimately ensuring the grid isn’t pushed past breaking point.

“The bottom line is that whilst the EV revolution is firmly underway, we need to focus on adopting smart charging technologies at scale, so that we can break down all the barriers to electrification and make EV ownership affordable, attractive and accessible to all.”