The UK Government has announced sweeping changes to planning regulations in a move set to supercharge the growth of EV chargepoints across the country.
Homeowners, businesses, and developers will now find it significantly easier to install EV chargers without the need for planning permission – a decision that could save drivers up to £1,100 annually.
By streamlining regulations, the government aims to rapidly expand the national charging network and support the country’s growing demand for electric vehicles while also boosting investment, job creation, and energy security.
Making home EV charging more accessible
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood confirmed that the new rules remove the requirement for most planning applications related to both private and public EV chargepoints.
This change particularly benefits homeowners with driveways, allowing for faster and more affordable installation of home chargers.
The savings from switching to electric vehicles — which can cost as little as 2p per mile to run — are now more attainable for thousands of households.
In addition to the planning overhaul, the government is continuing to offer grants of up to £350 for flat owners, renters, and those with on-street parking to help cover the cost of installing home EV chargepoints.
Greenwood 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 chargepoints to power from and less red tape to deal with.
We continue to make the switch to EVs easier, cheaper, and better by investing over £2.3bn to support drivers and back British carmakers through international trade deals – creating jobs, boosting investment, and securing our future.”
Business and public sector accelerated
The deregulation also extends to businesses and public institutions, removing key bureaucratic barriers to installing EV infrastructure in workplace car parks and public spaces.
Over the past year alone, more than 18,000 new chargepoints have been added to workplace sites, helping build a more robust and accessible national network.
April marked a record month for EV infrastructure, with nearly 3,000 new public charging devices installed – roughly one every 29 minutes.
With nearly 80,000 public EV chargepoints now active, the UK is firmly positioning itself as a global leader in electric mobility.
Lewis Gardiner, Operations Director at Osprey Charging Network, highlighted the significance of new regulations: “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.”
Driving economic growth and job creation
Beyond the benefits to drivers, the reforms are designed to support the UK’s wider green industrial strategy.
The EV sector is seen as a key driver of economic growth, with the government pointing to recent milestones like the £1bn gigafactory investment in Sunderland, which created 1,000 new jobs.
Trade agreements with the EU, US, and India have also reinforced confidence in the UK’s automotive industry, safeguarding around 150,000 jobs.
As EVs become increasingly affordable – with two in five used models now under £20,000 and 29 new models under £30,000 – this policy shift is another step toward making electric driving the norm.
The streamlined approach to EV chargepoint installation is set to accelerate adoption and keep Britain on the path to a cleaner, greener transport future.
