Latest news with #chargepoints
The Sun
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Major rule change for millions of EV drivers across England – will YOU be affected?
A MAJOR rule change could affect millions of electric vehicle drivers. The rule came into effect on May 29. 4 4 4 It is good news for electric vehicle drivers, as the new rule means that drivers and businesses no longer need to submit a planning application before installing public or private EV sockets. It's hoped that it will save both money and time for drivers and the planning committees. Lilian Greenwood, the Future of Roads Minister, announced the news. She said in an announcement: "More drivers will be able to save up to £1,100 a year as the government cuts red tape to make it easier than ever to install electric vehicle chargepoints." This saving is calculated for the comparative running cost of a petrol or diesel model. The minister is hoping that the new system will lead to more public charging points, encouraging drivers to go electric. There are currently an estimated 80,000 charge points in the UK. with one installed every 29 minutes according to the statement. In the last year alone, 18,000 sockets were installed in workplace carparks. Further incentives have been offered through a scheme that entitles those renting or owning a flat with on-street parking to receive £350 off the cost of installing a home charger. Some motorists seemed less than thrilled by the news, sharing their concerns on social media. Japanese giant unveils its new bargain EV with quirky 'bug eye' headlights One person wrote: "There's four houses on my street it's going to be chocker block, my husband wouldn't be able to pull into the drive." Others were skeptical about how successful the scheme will be, as one said: "It will take decades for electric infrastructure not to mention the streets and homes and flats with no access for electric charging points." Another commented: "Why is our government so fixed on forcing us down the ev manufacturers are scaling back on ev now." As more car manufacturers shift towards electric vehicles, the government is hoping Britain will become a leader in the eco-friendly industry. Not only will this help with meeting climate targets, but they hope it will also create more jobs as part of their Plan for Change initiative. The government has already safeguarded 150,000 jobs in the industry through trade deals with the US, India and the EU. A further 1,000 jobs were created by an investment of £1 billion in a Sunderland-based gigafactory - the term for an electric vehicle manufacturing plant. Responding to the new changes, the Operations Director of Osprey Charging Network Lewis Gardiner, 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." Switching to an electric vehicle can bring a range of benefits for drivers, particularly as the market continues to expand. This includes financial benefits like the running costs being as low as 2p per mile. As the market expands, EV cars are becoming more affordable, with 2 in 5 used EVs now under £20,000 and 29 brand new models for under £30,000. Their engines have also improved, with most new EVs boasting a range of nearly 300 miles on one charge. The new government rule is helping to make it easier than ever to drive an electric vehicle, with the hopes of encouraging more accessible charging stations across the UK. 4
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
No more planning applications needed for EV charging point installations
The Government has cut planning red tape to make it easier for EV drivers and businesses to install electric car chargepoints. 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 thanks to the streamlined new process, the Government says. By cutting down on paperwork, more EV owners with a driveway will find it easier to install a home charger and power up their EVs at home. Crucially, 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. 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.' Department for Transport (DfT) statistics show a record of nearly 3,000 public charging devices were added in April – with one popping up every 29 minutes. Overall there are nearly 80,000 public chargepoints across the UK, with the Government helping to install 18,600 sockets in workplace carparks last year. Today's relaxation of planning process comes on top of the discounts the Government offers to drivers wanting to install chargepoints outside their house; currently people renting or owning a flat, or those with on-street parking can receive up to £350 off the cost of installing a home charger. The red tape relaxation is part of Labour's 'Plan for Change' which will see £2.3billion invested to help the switch to EVs, secure global trade deals to back British carmakers, and create jobs and drive investment. Reacting to the news, industry leaders called it a 'positive' step but pushed for more to be done to help those without driveways. Vicky Edmonds, chief executive of EVA England, embraced the 'welcome step forward' saying: 'Making it easier to install both public and private charging infrastructure is essential to helping more drivers switch to electric.' However she warned 'further action is needed' as 'drivers without driveways still face barriers to affordable, convenient charging', adding: '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' but is concerned about grid connection. He commented: '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 any measures which remove the hassle and red tape preventing homeowners and companies from installing new electric vehicle chargers is 'an important step in the right direction'. How much does charging your EV at home save you? Zapmap's price index shows that those using public charging points are paying a hefty premium to charge compared to drivers with off-street parking and home chargers. Motorists using public charge points pay up to 10 times more than home off-peak charging rates. Ultra-rapid chargers cost around £0.80 per kWh compared to just £0.08 per kWh for home off-peak charging. At the same time it was revealed that 80 per cent of EV drivers now charge at home, up from 76 per cent last year, while public charging hub usage has decreased to 29 per cent, down eight per cent from 2024.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
No more planning applications needed for EV charging point installaions
The Government has cut planning red tape to make it easier for EV drivers and businesses to install electric car chargepoints. 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 thanks to the streamlined new process, the Government says. By cutting down on paperwork, more EV owners with a driveway will find it easier to install a home charger and power up their EVs at home. Crucially, 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. 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.' Department for Transport (DfT) statistics show a record of nearly 3,000 public charging devices were added in April – with one popping up every 29 minutes. Overall there are nearly 80,000 public chargepoints across the UK, with the Government helping to install 18,600 sockets in workplace carparks last year. Today's relaxation of planning process comes on top of the discounts the Government offers to drivers wanting to install chargepoints outside their house; currently people renting or owning a flat, or those with on-street parking can receive up to £350 off the cost of installing a home charger. The red tape relaxation is part of Labour's 'Plan for Change' which will see £2.3billion invested to help the switch to EVs, secure global trade deals to back British carmakers, and create jobs and drive investment. Reacting to the news, industry leaders called it a 'positive' step but pushed for more to be done to help those without driveways. Vicky Edmonds, chief executive of EVA England, embraced the 'welcome step forward' saying: 'Making it easier to install both public and private charging infrastructure is essential to helping more drivers switch to electric.' However she warned 'further action is needed' as 'drivers without driveways still face barriers to affordable, convenient charging', adding: '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' but is concerned about grid connection. He commented: '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 any measures which remove the hassle and red tape preventing homeowners and companies from installing new electric vehicle chargers is 'an important step in the right direction'. How much does charging your EV at home save you? Zapmap's price index shows that those using public charging points are paying a hefty premium to charge compared to drivers with off-street parking and home chargers. Motorists using public charge points pay up to 10 times more than home off-peak charging rates. Ultra-rapid chargers cost around £0.80 per kWh compared to just £0.08 per kWh for home off-peak charging. At the same time it was revealed that 80 per cent of EV drivers now charge at home, up from 76 per cent last year, while public charging hub usage has decreased to 29 per cent, down eight per cent from 2024.
