The Government has confirmed plans to make it simpler for people without driveways to charge an electric vehicle at home, removing the need for a separate planning application for approved cross-pavement charging solutions and associated home charge points.

The change, announced in the Government’s response to its consultation on EV charging rules, will create a new permitted development right covering cross-pavement charging solutions and associated domestic charge points. Local authorities will continue to oversee installations through existing highways permissions and safety safeguards.

The Department for Transport (DfT) will now proceed with the change, with work underway on the necessary legislation. It will also allow homes immediately adjoining the highway to install a cross-pavement solution and associated charge point.

The Government has also announced changes intended to make it easier to build larger and higher-powered public charging sites. Existing planning rights will be expanded to allow multiple units of supporting equipment in non-domestic car parks, while the overall permitted volume will increase from 29m³ to 45m³.

The rule change for cross-pavement chargers is seen as a major victory for the estimated four in 10 UK households who do not have off-street parking. Those drivers can otherwise be heavily reliant on public charging, which can cost up to 10 times more than charging at home.

The legislative update could help tackle this so-called ‘charging divide’. By cutting out the secondary planning application step, the Government aims to give terraced homeowners and residents whose properties directly border public footpaths fairer access to cheap home energy rates without a complex multi-layered approval process.

Industry stakeholders, including EVA England, the REA, New AutoMotive and charging specialist Kerbo Charge, have strongly welcomed the move. The organisations campaigned heavily alongside Baroness Pidgeon during the passage of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to tackle barriers to cross-pavement charging.

Vicky Edmonds, CEO of EVA England, said: “This is great news for drivers without a driveway, making it simpler, quicker and fairer for them to charge an EV at home.

“People who park on the street should not face unnecessary extra hurdles just to access the cheaper and more convenient charging available to people with driveways. Removing the need for a separate planning application takes away one of those barriers.”

Mark Constable, head of transport policy at REA, said: “This is great news for a large proportion of those drivers who wish to move to an EV but have no off-street parking. The ability to access cheaper electricity via a home tariff is instrumental for their right to switch. Our members offering cross pavement solutions will welcome the removal of a significant barrier to uptake, along with councils who will be able to proceed with planned projects without the uncertainty of knowing whether these measures will be introduced.”

Ben Nelmes, CEO of New AutoMotive, said: “Enabling more people to charge their car on their home electricity supply is one of the best ways government can boost demand for electric vehicles without spending taxpayers’ money. This is an important step towards boosting EV adoption and enabling more households to access much-needed energy cost savings by going electric.”

Michael Goulden, director of Kerbo Charge, said: “A number of local authorities are awaiting this legislation change before launching cross-pavement charging so it can’t come soon enough.”

However, James Court, public policy director at Octopus Electric Vehicles, said removing planning permission for cross-pavement charging doesn’t solve the bigger problem.

“Councils will still decide whether these installations can go ahead, leaving us with a postcode lottery where one council enables cheap home charging.

“With around 40% of households without off-street parking, closing the ‘driveway divide’ means making safe cross-pavement charging available to everyone who needs it. This is a positive step, but there’s more to do.”

The announcement comes as EVA England runs its annual Steer the Conversation survey, giving both EV drivers and petrol and diesel drivers the chance to say what is working, what is holding people back from switching, and what needs to change. The findings will help shape the organisation’s recommendations to the Government and industry.