Latest news with #IanJohnston
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
EV charger installations no longer require planning permission
The UK government will now allow the installation of EV chargers without planning permission from a local authority, regardless of whether it's for private or public use. The move is intended to accelerate the roll-out of EV chargers across the UK, the previous Conservative government having set a target for the installation of 300,000 chargers across the nation by 2030. Installations of private chargers at homes with off-street parking were already exempt from planning permission in most cases. However, the requirement of a green light from local authorities for larger public developments had previously been cited as a key bottleneck in the roll-out of the UK's charging network. Ian Johnston, CEO of charger provider Osprey, last year told Autocar: 'The problem is you've got to go through a process which is under-resourced and takes six to nine months to get planning permission.' The new exemption from obtaining planning permission is likely to make a particular difference in the speed at which large charging 'hubs' can be installed, given that these typically require the installation of supporting infrastructure, such as electrical substations. Lewis Gardiner, Osprey's operations director, today said in a government statement: '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.' Lilian Greenwood, minister for the future of roads, added: '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 charge points to power from and less red tape to deal with." Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for motoring organisation AA, said the move was 'a positive step' that 'will help accelerate installations'. According to charger mapping firm Zap-Map, there were more than 79,000 publicly accessible charge points across the UK at the end of April 2025. This was up from some 73,000 at the end of 2024 and just under 54,000 at the end of 2023. ]]>
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Major change kicks in for EVERY driveway in England ‘to save months of delays and cut costs'
It hopes to accelerate the rollout of EVs CHARGING AHEAD Major change kicks in for EVERY driveway in England 'to save months of delays and cut costs' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR rule change has come for drivers around the UK in a positive move for home and vehicle owners. The change involves the installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers for both public and private use. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The new driveway law is for every household in the UK Credit: Alamy 2 It is expected to save thousands of pounds a year and wait times Credit: Alamy There is a current target to install 300,000 chargers across the UK by 2030, a goal set out by the previous Conservative government. From this week, those wanting to install an EV charger will no longer require planning permission from a local authority. The new move by Labour is expected to save driver £1,100 a year, as well as months of delays. Liberty to install EV chargers was already the case for most on a private property with off-street parking. But for larger public developments, a green light from local authorities was required. CEO of charger provider Osprey, Ian Johnston, told Autocar last year: "The problem is you've got to go through a process which is under-resourced and takes six to nine months to get planning permission.' The process has been deemed a key bottleneck in the roll-out of the nation's EV and charging network. The 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 charge points to power from and less red tape to deal with." These rule changes hope to help the "EV revolution" by what Ms Greenwood considers making it "easier than ever to install EV chargers" for EV drivers across the UK. The Labour MP continued: "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." Audi launches NEW superfast charging hybrid with eye-watering price Operations Director at Osprey Charging Network, Lewis Gardiner welcomed the government's "practical change" in policy which he believes will make a "huge difference" for the industry. He added: "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 Counsens, head of roads policy at The AA, praised the positive step but said the government should be doing all it can: "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." A charger mapping by firm Zap-Map has shown there were more than 79,000 publicly accessible charge points across the UK at the end of last month. This is an increase of 6,000 since the end of 2024, but just a quarter of the final goal for the next five years.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Major change kicks in for EVERY driveway in England ‘to save months of delays and cut costs'
A MAJOR rule change has come for drivers around the UK in a positive move for home and vehicle owners. The change involves the installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers for both public and private use. 2 The new driveway law is for every household in the UK Credit: Alamy 2 It is expected to save thousands of pounds a year and wait times Credit: Alamy There is a current target to install 300,000 chargers across the UK by 2030, a goal set out by the previous Conservative government. From this week, those wanting to install an The new move by Labour is expected to save driver £1,100 a year, as well as months of delays. Liberty to install EV chargers was already the case for most on a private property with off-street parking. Read More Motors News But for CEO of charger provider Osprey, Ian Johnston, told The process has been deemed a key bottleneck in the roll-out of the nation's EV and The 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 charge points to power from and less red tape to deal with." Most read in Motors These rule changes hope to help the "EV revolution" by what Ms Greenwood considers making it "easier than ever to install EV chargers" for EV drivers across the UK. The Labour MP continued: "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." Audi launches NEW superfast charging hybrid with eye-watering price Operations Director at Osprey Charging Network, Lewis Gardiner welcomed the government's "practical change" in policy which he believes will make a "huge difference" for the industry. He added: "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 Counsens, head of roads policy at The AA, praised the positive step but said the government should be doing all it can: "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." A charger mapping by firm Zap-Map has shown there were more than 79,000 publicly accessible charge points across the UK at the end of last month. This is an increase of 6,000 since the end of 2024, but just a quarter of the final goal for the next five years.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New citizens from 63 countries take their oath at Rockford's Coronado Center
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — On Tuesday morning, Rockford's Coronado Performing Arts Center served as the gateway to the American Dream, as 319 people took their oaths of citizenship to the United States. The new citizens represent immigrants from 63 countries, from Afghanistan to Zambia. U.S. District Judge Ian Johnston, who has been a part of naturalization ceremonies for over a decade, presided over today's event. 'They have voted with their feet. They've left the country of their origin, where they had family, understood the culture, and understood the language, and they've decided and made the difficult decision that they were going to uproot themselves, come to the United States, and make their lives here. Which goes to show their courage, their determination, and how great this country is,' Johnston said. The League of Women Voters of Greater Rockford also attended the event to help the new citizens register to vote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Drivers slam 'fascist' new road sign which is being rolled out across UK
Drivers have slammed " fascist" and "granny" electric car charging road signs after a consultation. The Department for Transport has published an update on a major trial which took place that could see new electric vehicle signs rolled out across the UK. The trial looked at changes to the "petrol pump" symbol, with a new one showing the front view of a car with a standard three-pin plug and the third had a "lightning bolt" wire to give guidance to EV motorists looking for a chargepoint. More than 1,100 people across England took place in the experiment but respondents said it was too easily confused by the trial. The "lightning bolt" was likened to a "flash" used in fascist imagery by some motorists. READ MORE: Shock £195 DVLA letter coming for tens of thousands of drivers READ MORE: 26 million drivers say they'll 'refuse' to obey driving licence shake-up from DVLA READ MORE State pensioners born urged to avoid £824 act which is 'waste of money' One said: "It's a three-pin charging point. People would assume they're not fast 7kw charging because it's like the granny chargers." The report concluded: "In summary, this research suggests that the green pump-and-flash symbol will be interpreted accurately by the smallest portion of the population but that the green, car-based symbols stand out better in crowded contexts and are most accurately recalled after repeated viewings. "Improvements should be considered to whichever of the two car-based symbols is selected for use on motorway service stations signs and directional road signs." Speaking to GB News, Ian Johnston, CEO of Osprey Charging, had his say. He added: "In every major European country, signs for electric refuelling from the main roads are normal. Yet here in the UK, there is still no standard process for applying for EV charging signage, whether on council-adopted roads or national highways." A spokesperson for Telford and Wrekin Council told GB News this week after the trial in the West Midlands region that there are "clear and well-established national guidance" regarding where traffic signs can be installed.
