A NEW report estimates there will be over 70,000 electric vehicles in Oxford by 2050.

The report, published by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), projects a total of more than 71,000 electric vehicles, up from approximately 350 in 2019.

The ‘Distribution Future Energy Scenario’ report was commissioned by SSEN to help understand the impact of the UK Government’s 2050 net zero target.

In December, the Government announced the banning of the sale of new diesel and petrol vehicles by 2030.

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Andrew Roper, SSEN’s distribution system operation director, welcomed the report.

He said: “This report is a valuable tool in informing and supporting the transition to net zero in a secure and cost-effective manner.

“This will mean a significant increase in electric vehicles on the roads which will require charging infrastructure, heat pumps in our homes and small-scale renewables on our rooftops.

“Data sharing will be critical in the net zero journey. That’s why we have made this data publicly available and will continue to work alongside the households, businesses and communities we serve to deliver a fair, cost-effective and secure transition to a net zero future.”

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Ray Arrell, Regen’s head of technical development, added: “This report reflects the unprecedented rate of change within the UK electricity system.

“Already we have seen a massive shift in generation towards renewable energy technologies.

“This is set to continue and will further drive down the carbon intensity of electricity, which will in turn enable the decarbonisation of transport and heat with the rapid adoption of electric vehicles and heat pumps.”

The report also states heat pumps in Oxford may hit the 58,000 mark by 2050.