The UK government has introduced a new amendment to driveway regulations this summer, which has been implemented by the Labour Party administration. This change has removed the need for planning permission for electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
The process of setting up EV charging stations at homes, businesses, and public locations has been simplified this summer, following a decision by the Government to scrap the requirement for planning applications.
The changes, announced by Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood, are now in effect and aim to accelerate the roll-out of EV infrastructure by removing bureaucratic hurdles. Homeowners with driveways, as well as businesses and local authorities, can now benefit from quicker, more cost-effective installation of charging points.
The change is expected to boost the number of charging locations, supporting the Government’s goal of having 300,000 public chargers by 2030. “We’re cutting down on paperwork to power up the EV revolution,” Greenwood stated. “Drivers and businesses will have more charge points and less red tape.”, reports Birmingham Live.
, but highlighted the need for swift grid connections, especially in rural areas. Rod Dennis from the RAC said: “Removing the need for planning permission will help lower the barrier to home charging – a key factor in making EVs more affordable.”
Lewis Gardiner from Osprey Charging said scrapping planning rules for substations would “save months of delays,” whilst bosses from InstaVolt, Sainsbury’s Smart Charge, and Chargy hailed the decision as a major boost for investor confidence and electric vehicle uptake.
The public charging network has expanded by 28% over the past year, with almost 17,000 devices installed since April 2024. Government grants of up to £350 continue to be available for eligible households fitting a home charger.
Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA previously explained: “With a target of 300,000 publicly available chargers by 2030, Government should be doing all it can to help reach this milestone.
“Removing the planning rules is a positive step and will help accelerate installations. The crucial element is ensuring grid connection in a timely manner. This is especially important in rural locations and areas where there is no dedicated off-street parking.”
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