Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an estimate of the amount of copper that will (a) be laid in the UK in the next 17 years and (b) need to be laid to meet 2040 electric vehicle targets.

Government analysis in the Electricity Networks Strategic Framework suggests that the distribution network in Great Britain could require up to 380,000km of additional cabling by 2040 compared to the baseline demand scenario.

The Government is working with Ofgem and industry to ensure the energy system is ready for additional demand from low-carbon technologies, like electric vehicles. A smart and flexible electricity system, including electric vehicle smart charging, could reduce infrastructure needs, saving up to £10billion per year by 2050.