Drivers will be able to save up to £1,100 a year as the UK Government cuts red tape to make it easier to install electric vehicle chargepoints.
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood has confirmed that more drivers and businesses will no longer need to submit a planning application to install public or private EV sockets.
By cutting down on paperwork, more EV owners with a driveway will find it easier, quicker and cheaper to install a private chargepoint and power up their EVs at home, the government said.
This will unlock savings of up to £1,100 a year compared to running a petrol or diesel car.
With planning changes also applying to workplace and public chargepoints, businesses will be able to install new sockets faster and for less, helping increase the number of public chargepoints so that EV owners can charge more easily, wherever they live and drive.
Government support also currently allows people renting or owning a flat, and those with on-street parking, to receive up to £350 off the cost of installing a home charger.
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said:
“We’re cutting down on paperwork to power up the EV revolution, so that drivers, businesses and those looking to make the switch will have more chargepoints to power from, and less red tape to deal with.
“We continue to make the switch to EVs easier, cheaper and better by investing over £2.3bn to support drivers and back British carmakers through international trade deals – creating jobs, boosting investment and securing our future as part of our Plan for Change.”
Lewis Gardiner, Operations Director, Osprey Charging Network, said:
“This is a hugely welcome and practical change that will make a real difference on the ground.
“Removing the need for planning permission for essential electrical infrastructure like substations across the majority of sites will save months of delays, reduce costs, and accelerate the delivery of the rapid charging hubs drivers need.
“It’s the result of months of collaboration between industry and Government, and we’re proud to have played a key role in making it happen.”
Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Chief Property and Procurement Officer and MD of Smart Charge, said:
“Everyone at Smart Charge knows how important it is to make EV charging simple, reliable and accessible – both to make transport cleaner and to ensure we’re meeting the everyday needs of drivers throughout the UK.
“We welcome this new streamlined approach to installing charge points, which will help accelerate the nation’s adoption of EVs.”
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said:
“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.”
Vicky Edmonds, CEO of EVA England, said:
“This announcement is a welcome step forward, and we are pleased to see the Government taking action to cut red tape and accelerate the rollout of chargepoints. Making it easier to install both public and private charging infrastructure is essential to helping more drivers switch to electric.
However, to ensure EVs can work for everyone, further action is needed. Drivers without driveways still face significant barriers to affordable, convenient charging. We urge the Government to increase its support of the rollout of cross-pavement charging and extend legal rights to tenants and leaseholders, so all drivers can access and benefit from cheaper and more convenient charging.”
Delvin Lane, CEO of InstaVolt, said:
“We are supportive of the Government acting proactively and moving in a positive direction. Anything that helps remove barriers to EV adoption and gives all drivers confidence in the infrastructure – helping remove range anxiety – is a strong move in the right direction. We look forward to continued support from the Government as the UK transitions to EVs.”
John Lewis, char.gy CEO, said:
“char.gy welcomes the government’s renewed commitment to speeding up the rollout of EV charge points and reducing planning constraints. This is a clear signal of policy certainty in the UK’s EV sector, exactly what investors and charge point operators need to unlock the scale of investment required to build a world-class public charging network.”
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said:
“Getting more drivers to opt for an EV next time depends on reducing costs and removing the obstacles some people face, and that includes having to seek planning permission for a home charger.
“Having one installed unlocks the prospect of incredibly cheap charging, so homeowners will welcome this announcement.
“It remains the case, however, that the relatively high cost of public charging, especially at rapid and ultra-rapid sites – which is so important for people who have no option of charging up cheaply at home – still needs to be tackled.”
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