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.
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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.”
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.
