The UK government has announced drastic changes to planning regulations in a move set to surpass growth in EV charge points across the country.
Homeowners, businesses and developers will find it much easier to install EV chargers without the need for planning permission. This is a decision that saves £1,100 a year.
By streamlining regulations, the government aims to quickly expand national charging networks and boost investment, job creation and energy security while helping to increase demand for electric vehicles.
Make your home charging easier to access
Future Roads Minister Lillian Greenwood confirmed that the new rules will remove requirements for most planning applications related to both private and public EV charge points.
This change will benefit homeowners with driveways, particularly those with driveways, allowing for faster, more affordable home chargers to be installed.
Savings from switching to electric vehicles – While it can cost just 2p per mile to drive, it is now more accessible for thousands of households.
In addition to overhauling the plan, the government continues to provide grants of up to £350 for flat owners, renters and parking lots with on-street parking, covering the cost of installing home EV charge points.
Greenwood added: “We can cut down on papers and create drivers, businesses and switches to bolster the EV revolution, and have more power points and fewer red tape to deal with.
We will continue to make the switch to EVs easier, cheaper, better, and better investments of £2.3 billion to support UK automakers through international trade transactions, create jobs, boost investments and secure the future. ”
The business and public sector accelerated
Deregulation also extends to businesses and public agencies, removing important bureaucratic barriers to installing EV infrastructure in workplace parking and public spaces.
Over the past year alone, over 18,000 new charge points have been added to the workplace, helping to build a more robust and accessible national network.
April recorded a record month for EV infrastructure, with around 3,000 new public charging devices installed. This is about one every 29 minutes.
With nearly 80,000 public EV charge points currently active, the UK has secured its position as a global leader in electric mobility.
Lewis Gardiner, operations director for the Osprey Charging Network, highlighted the importance of the new regulations.
“Removing the need for planning permission for essential electrical infrastructures such as substations across most sites will save months of delays, reduce costs and accelerate the delivery of the need for a quick charging hub driver.
“This is the result of months of cooperation between the industry and the government and we are proud to have played a key role in making it happen.”
Promotes economic growth and job creation
Beyond the benefits for drivers, the reforms are designed to support the UK’s broader green industrial strategy.
The EV sector is seen as a key driver of economic growth, with the government pointing to recent milestones like a £1 billion Gigafactory investment in Sunderland, creating 1,000 new jobs.
Trade agreements with the EU, the US and India strengthen the UK’s trust in the automotive industry and protect the employment of around 150,000 people.
As EVs become more and more affordable, there are 29 new models in the five-use models, two of which are under £20,000 and under £30,000.
A streamlined approach to EV ChargePoint installation is set to accelerate adoption and keep the UK on the path to a cleaner, greener transport future.
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