The Government has unveiled new proposals that are set to make it “fairer, easier, and cheaper” for people
The Government has announced a plan to make changes for drivers. Electric car owners will find it “easier and cheaper” to charge their vehicles at home under new proposals announced on Wednesday, it said.
Ministers claim the measures are designed to create a fairer system for renters and those without private driveways. Under the plans, new covered car parks would be required to install charging points, while officials are considering scrapping planning permission requirements for discreet cross-pavement charging gullies for residents without driveways.
The changes would give more households access to cheaper domestic electricity rates, allowing families to run their electric vehicles for as little as 2p per mile – making a journey from London to Birmingham cost just £2.50, according to Government figures.
Officials confirmed they would look at cutting bureaucracy for EV drivers without driveways, making it simpler to install cross-pavement charging infrastructure whilst speeding up applications and potentially saving motorists up to £250 in application fees.
The Government added it would collaborate with energy regulator Ofgem “to ensure public costs are fair and strengthen protections against landowners overcharging tenants for home charging above the market rate”.
Additionally, ministers said they were working with Ofgem to guarantee operators provide high-quality connections as well as smooth and rapid connections for public charging infrastructure, ensuring the network remains robust and supports continued expansion. A consultation on the proposals will be launched shortly, allowing the industry to help shape how the reforms are put into practice, the Government said.
EV charging changes
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “Wherever you park your car, we’re making it fairer, easier, and cheaper to make the switch to electric. These reforms will improve infrastructure for the EV revolution, increase chargepoints across the country and open up affordable home charging to thousands more households. It’s good news for drivers and a big boost for the growing British EV industry – cutting costs and supporting jobs to deliver our Plan for Change.”
The pledge comes after the launch of the £650 million Electric Car Grant (ECG) earlier this year, offering discounts of up to £3,750 on 39 car models. The Government said the grant has driven up demand for EVs and has already helped more than 25,000 motorists make the switch.
This follows a £25 million scheme announced in July to help local authorities provide discreet cross-pavement channel charging solutions for residents, enabling more people without driveways to charge easily and affordably at home. The Government is also investing £381 million to install more than 100,000 local public chargers throughout England.
