The Government announced in May that it was reducing rules for drivers and businesses across England with immediate effect, impacting people who own electric vehicles
11:18, 31 Aug 2025Updated 12:15, 31 Aug 2025
The rules will affect anyone with an electric vehicle (file)(Image: Getty Images)
A new rule targeting anyone with a driveway in England has come into effect, designed to make electric vehicle (EV) ownership more straightforward.
The Government said in May it was slashing red tape for motorists and businesses throughout England with immediate effect. This means planning permission is no longer necessary to fit an EV charging point.
The announcement from the Department for Transport covers private residential driveways, workplaces, and public streets, potentially helping those without a driveway as well. Previously, there were cases where it took up to nine months to obtain planning permission from local councils for public installations.
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Charging an electric car at home will now be easier (stock)(Image: Getty Images)
Boosting public EV charging is seen as vital to persuade more motorists – particularly those without off-street parking – to switch to electric vehicles.
A report published by the National Audit Office in December discovered that the rollout of public EV chargers was “on track” to meet the 300,000 the DfT estimates will be the minimum needed by 2030. The Government has pledged to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030.
The future of roads minister, Lilian Greenwood, has now unveiled a change designed to speed up the electric vehicle (EV) revolution. She 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.
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“We continue to make the switch to EVs easier, cheaper and better by investing over £2.3 billion to support drivers and back British carmakers through international trade deals, creating jobs, boosting investment and securing our future.”
Lewis Gardiner, operations director at Osprey Charging Network, hailed the announcement as “a hugely welcome and practical change that will make a real difference on the ground”.
He went on: “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.”
Jack Cousens, AA head of roads policy, said the Government must do “all it can” to boost the number of EV chargers, and reckons that relaxing planning regulations “will help accelerate installations”.
He also stressed: “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.”
Rod Dennis, the RAC’s senior policy officer, has applauded the announcement, stating that persuading more motorists to make the switch to electric vehicles (EVs) depends on “removing the obstacles some people face”. However, he warned the “relatively high cost of public charging… still needs to be tackled”.
InstaVolt’s chief executive, Delvin Lane, remarked: “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.”