Ban could be placed on charging electric cars during peak times as energy demand is set to TRIPLE by 2050

ELECTRICITY demand could rise by a THIRD by 2050 with bans in place on when electric cars can be charged, experts have warned.

The surge in plug-in motors popularity could cause "challenges" for energy providers, according to National Grid forecasts.

By 2050, 90 per cent of new cars are expected to be electric sending demand for electricity soaring, especially at peak times.

And the National Grid said peak time demand could rise by 18 gigawatts (GW) - the equivalent of nearly six Hinkley Point nuclear power stations.

It said "smart chargers" could have to be introduced to only fill up car batteries when power networks could cope.

Drivers would have to wait until times of day when there was surplus electricity.

And cars with existing charge left could be used to plough resources back into the grid.

Dustin Benton, acting policy director at the Green Alliance, a think-tank, told the FT to keep costs down consumers may have to “accept some control over when and how they charge their cars”.

He said: "The government should require smart chargers to be installed which support the grid by default, while ensuring people are able to drive their cars whenever they need them.

"The alternative is a dumb charging system where everyone charges their car at 6pm, putting huge pressure on the grid.

";This would be much more expensive and have a higher carbon footprint."

Manufacturers are rushing out more and more electric models with Volvo the most recent to declare a drive for zero-emissions vehicles.

The move comes as toxic taxes hang over the head of diesel.