New rules affecting roads and drivers across Wales planned
A new law coming into force in England could soon be repeated in Wales. From this week, people in England will no longer need to submit planning applications in order to install electric vehicle chargers, a law which will effect every household in England.
The Labour government hopes that this new law will streamline the process of installing EV chargers and therefore reduce months of delays and possibly saving drivers £1,100 a year. They say it will give drivers more chargepoints, with less red tape.
In April this year, the Welsh Government published a consultation which proposes to change the development rules around EV charging infrastructure.
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The proposals would bring Wales further in line with provisions in Scotland and England by removing the 2m from a highway restriction and, in certain instances, increasing the height limit of chargers to 2.7m.
The Welsh Government said: "The number of EV charging points across Wales needs to increase to support the anticipated growth in electric vehicle usage, and to align with Net Zero Wales targets and UK Government's proposed ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030/35.
"Reliable and comprehensive charging infrastructure is needed to support this transition.
"The changes will further facilitate the roll-out of electric vehicle charge points in line with predicted growth in use of electric vehicles and to ensure sufficient charging infrastructure is available to support zero emission vehicle targets."
Other changes to permitted development rights in Wales laid out in the consultation include increased provision for air source heat pumps and increased rights for recreation campsites.
The Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, called England's move a boost for the "EV revolution". Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here.
She added: "We continue to make the switch to EVs easier, cheaper and better by investing over £2.3billion 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."
Osprey Charging Network's operations director, Lewis Gardiner, said changes in England would make a "real difference".
He continued: "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."
Research by Autotrader shows that the number of EV chargers in the UK rose from by 30,000 at the end of 2021, to 77,000 as of March 2025.
The Welsh Government consultation runs until July 1, 2025. It can be viewed here.
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