Mr. Bobby Smith:

Some charging technologies allow for it, although that was traditionally not the focus. A shift is happening.

Regarding market signals, the price signal will become more common as smart meters are rolled out and we have more dynamic price signals in the market. ESB Networks is working on local flexibility markets that will give signals and provide flexibility to the grid. This will be done through, for example, aggregators and managing and selling that product into the market on behalf of users. Similar to the microgeneration export scheme, people will get a return. Once it is up and running, that scheme will be a boost to users. Something like that is coming in respect of local flexibility.

As to how it will benefit people, we work with consultants on modelling that. Such a scheme is particularly useful for peak demand shifting. EVs can provide an hour or two of key flexibility during the evening peak periods or other times of system stress. That is useful and provides a great deal of energy, but it is generally for shorter periods. It exists in parallel with the need for long-duration storage.