The UK Government has outlined new measures intended to make it easier and affordable for electric vehicle (EV) owners to charge their cars at home, particularly benefiting renters and those without access to a private driveway.
Under the proposed changes, installing EV charging points would become simpler for tenants and leaseholders.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Access deeper industry intelligence
Experience unmatched clarity with a single platform that combines unique data, AI, and human expertise.
The government is planning to require chargepoints in newly constructed covered car parks while also considering the removal of existing planning permission requirements for cross-pavement charging channels, which presently pose a barrier for residents without driveways.
According to the government, the initiative could enable more households to access domestic electricity rates, potentially allowing EV operation costs as low as 2p/mile.
Officials are also considering ways to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, such as streamlining applications for cross-pavement solutions and eliminating up to £250 (approximately $332) in related fees.
Collaboration with Ofgem is planned to ensure that public charging expenses remain reasonable and that renters are protected from excessive home charging fees imposed by landlords.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe government and Ofgem additionally intend to work together on improving connection quality and reliability at public chargepoints.
A consultation on the package will soon be launched by the government, seeking industry feedback on how best to implement the proposed reforms.
These proposals build on the £650m Electric Car Grant introduced earlier this year, which offers discounts of up to £3,750 on 39 eligible vehicle models.
More than 25,000 drivers have already taken advantage of the scheme, according to government figures.
There are currently 86,021 public charging stations available across the UK, according to government data.
UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Wherever you park your car, we’re making it fairer, easier, and cheaper to make the switch to electric.
“These reforms will improve infrastructure for the EV revolution, increase chargepoints across the country and open up affordable home charging to thousands more households. It’s good news for drivers and a big boost for the growing British EV industry – cutting costs and supporting jobs to deliver our ‘Plan for Change’.”
