Installing electric vehicle (EV) charge points at homes, businesses, and public locations has just become easier following a Government move to scrap planning application requirements.
Announced by Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood, the changes are now in effect and are aimed at accelerating the rollout of EV infrastructure by removing bureaucratic hurdles. Homeowners with driveways, as well as businesses and councils, will now be able to benefit from quicker, cheaper installation of charge points, with the change expected to boost the number of charging locations, aiding the Government’s target of 300,000 public chargers by 2030.
“We’re cutting down on paperwork to power up the EV revolution,” said Greenwood. “Drivers and businesses will have more charge points and less red tape.”
Industry leaders welcomed the reform. Jack Cousens of the AA called it “a positive step” but stressed the need for timely grid connections, especially in rural areas. RAC’s Rod Dennis added: “Removing the need for planning permission will help lower the barrier to home charging – a key factor in making EVs more affordable.”
Lewis Gardiner of Osprey Charging said the removal of planning rules for substations would “save months of delays,” while executives from InstaVolt, Sainsbury’s Smart Charge, and Chargy praised the move as a boost to investor confidence and EV adoption.
Over the last 12 months, the public charging network has grown by 28%, with nearly 17,000 devices added since April 2024. Meanwhile, government grants of up to £350 remain available for eligible households installing a home charger.