Political pressure is mounting in Brussels to soften or delay the EU's 2035 combustion engine ban. But a new analysis highlights a largely overlooked consequence: without a large fleet of electric vehicles acting as distributed battery storage, grid balancing becomes dramatically more expensive — potentially requiring the equivalent of 150 additional power plants across Europe.
EVs as Grid Infrastructure
Europe's renewable energy capacity is expanding rapidly — solar PV installations broke records again in 2024 and 2025. But more solar and wind means more need for storage and grid flexibility. If EV uptake is slowed by weakened mandates, that flexibility gap has to be filled by other means: new peaker plants, large-scale battery storage facilities, or expensive grid upgrades.
What This Means for Home and Business Energy
Source: 150 New Power Plants: The Cost of Balancing the Grid If the EU Slashes EV Targets - CleanTechnica· Based on source, with AI-assisted rewriting.
Related articles
Heat Pump, Solar & H Tariff: How to Plan Together
Combining a heat pump, rooftop solar panels and a preferential electricity tariff can significantly cut household energy bills — but only if you plan all three as one integrated system. This guide walks through the decision logic, common mistakes and key considerations for homeowners.
Solar PV in the Arctic: Svalbard's surprising potential
Researchers at Norway's SINTEF have found that solar PV in Longyearbyen, one of the world's northernmost inhabited settlements, can achieve capacity factors comparable to central European cities during summer. The study shows that PV, combined with wind and storage, could play a pivotal role in the Arctic energy transition.
Solar + Heat Pump: When Do They Really Cut Your Bill?
Combining rooftop solar with an air-source heat pump seems like a perfect match, but real savings depend on how well their operating hours overlap. This guide explains the key decision factors for homeowners considering both systems.
Why broadband communication is the backbone of grid modernization
The Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA) has welcomed Eversource Energy and Hawaiian Electric as new members, underlining a growing consensus: without robust communication infrastructure, modern grids cannot reliably integrate solar, storage and other distributed energy resources.
Comments
0 commentsBe the first to comment.