New rules will axe planning requirement for cross-pavement charging

EV owners without driveways will soon be able to install cross-pavement charging gullies without planning permission.

As part of a new clean energy package, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband confirmed that later this year the Government will introduce permitted development rights for cross-pavement charging solutions and associated chargers.

The move means households without off-street parking who currently rely on public charging will be able to install at-home chargers and take advantage of far cheaper domestic tariffs.

While those with a home charger can enjoy overnight tariffs as low as 6.5p per kWh, the average kerbside EV charger costs 54p/kWh and ultra-rapid en route devices cost an average of 76p/kWh.

The issue of at-home charging for households without off-street parking has long been highlighted as an obstacle to drivers making the switch.

Cables trailing across the pavement between homes and vehicles are a safety hazard for pedestrians. Cable gullies address this by running cables below the pavement but, until now, have required owners to go through council planning processes to have one fitted.

By removing this requirement, the process will be quicker, simpler and cheaper.

Vicky Edmonds, CEO of EVA England, said the decision was a “clear step forward”.

She commented: “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.

“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.”

In some parts of the country, councils are offering financial support for charging gullies via the LEVI fund, while in others households will have to pay for the work themselves.

Michael Goulden, CEO of cross-pavement specialist Kerbo Charge, added: “Today’s commitment is exactly the kind of decisive action needed. With home charging five to ten 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.”

The measure was announced as part of a wider package to “double down not back down” on a shift away from fossil fuels in the face of the current Iran conflict. Other steps include making it easier for tenants and leaseholders to request and install home chargers, solar panels and heat pumps.

Mr Miliband said: “As we face the second fossil fuel shock in less than five years, the lesson for our country is clear: The era of fossil fuel security is over, and the era of clean energy security must come of age.”

The current conflict in Iran and its effect on oil and fuel prices has created a spike in interest in EVs.

Sales of new EVs soared by 51% across Europe in March compared with a year ago, and in the UK were 24% higher this March than in March 2025. At the same time, interest in used EVs has reached record levels.

EV prices have also fallen in recent months and a new electric car is now, on average, cheaper than a new petrol car, according to Autotrader data.