Government makes driveway law change set to affect millions
Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, announced drivers and businesses will no longer need to submit a planning application to install public or private EV sockets.
EV owners will be able to unlock savings of up to £1,100 a year compared to running a petrol or diesel car.
🇬🇧 Great to visit @astonmartin yesterday — where British engineering meets world-class innovation.
🚗 Took the DBX707 for a spin
🌍 UK trade deals with 🇺🇸 🇪🇺 🇮🇳 to safeguard 150,000 jobs in auto & steel
🔋 £2.3bn Govt boost to power the switch to EVs pic.twitter.com/yIPDOcDeOx
The planning changes also apply to workplace and public chargepoints, meaning businesses will be able to install new sockets faster and for less money, increasing the number of public chargepoints.
Ms 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."
Vicky Edmonds, chief executive of EVA England, said: "Making it easier to install both public and private charging infrastructure is essential to helping more drivers switch to electric."
She warned "further action is needed" as "drivers without driveways still face barriers to affordable, convenient charging".
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She added: "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."
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, believes "removing the planning rules" will help "accelerate installations".
He further added: "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."
Rocio Concha, director of policy and advocacy at consumer group Which? said it is "an important step in the right direction".
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