The Government has set out plans to make it easier for drivers to switch to electric vehicles with a package of new measures.

Speaking at the Good Growth Foundation’s National Growth Debate, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband announced a series of actions focused on the electrification of transport and home heating.

Key measures relevant to the EV sector include a commitment to legislate this summer to introduce permitted development rights for cross-pavement charging solutions, along with a forthcoming consultation on changes to building regulations to increase EV charging provision in new buildings and for renters and leaseholders; and a package of reforms to streamline planning and grid connection rules for clean energy infrastructure.

The Government said the new measures would offer households and businesses stronger protection against future energy shocks, helping them to get off the “fossil fuel rollercoaster”.

The clean energy announcements were broadly greeted by on-street and cross-pavement charging leaders.

John Lewis, CEO of public charging network Char.gy, said: “Today’s commitment to streamline planning and grid connection rules, unlock clean power across the public estate, and make charging easier for renters and flat-dwellers all point in the same direction: a future where nobody is left behind in the switch to electric simply because of where they live.

“Lamppost charging has always been about meeting drivers where they are, using infrastructure that’s already on every street in the country. These reforms will help unlock that potential at the scale and speed the transition demands, and char.gy stands ready to deliver.”

Michael Goulden, chief executive of EV charging cable channel firm Kerbo Charge, welcomed the Government’s commitment to cut red tape for cross-pavement charging.

“With home charging five to 10 times cheaper than public alternatives, this opens the door to genuinely affordable EV ownership for the millions of drivers who’ve been locked out simply because they don’t have a driveway.”

Gurjeet Grewal, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, pointed out the benefits to EV take-up.

“Millions of renters and flat-dwellers still don’t benefit from cheap charging at home. Make charging simple and affordable, and you unlock a huge new wave of drivers ready to switch. This is another clear sign from the Government on the direction of travel for UK drivers. Switch to electric, charge at home and protect yourself from price rises at the petrol pumps.”

Vicky Edmonds, chief executive officer of EVA England, said today’s announcements were a clear step forward in breaking down the practical barriers to switching to electric.

“Plans to introduce permitted development rights for EV charging and cross-pavement solutions are a major breakthrough for the millions without driveways who currently face a two-tier system of higher costs and fewer options. This is an area EVA England has consistently highlighted for reform, so it’s encouraging to see progress. Around half of drivers without off-street parking say they are paying more to run an EV than their previous petrol or diesel car. Addressing this imbalance is critical to making the transition fair.”

She added: “Alongside new rights for renters and leaseholders, this is a welcome package, and now the focus must be on delivering it in a way that genuinely works for drivers.”

And charging sector trade body ChargeUK said the Government was right to double down on electrification amid soaring petrol prices.

But chief executive Vicky Read renewed calls for a cut in public charging VAT following the recent tribunal.

Read said: “Millions of drivers remain reliant on public charging which is more expensive than it needs to be. Unlike rising petrol prices, solving this is within government’s gift. By equalising VAT and addressing surging charge point standing charges, the Government can reduce the charging divide and help to remove road transport’s fossil fuel dependency, capitalising on surging demand to meet its supply-side EV sales quotas.”