A Government minister has issued a major update to pavement rules, following changes that took effect on April 1, 2026, aimed at making it easier for people without driveways to charge electric vehicles. The alterations include an increase in grants for home electric car charger installation, rising from £350 to £500.
Grant Increase and Ministerial Statement
Speaking earlier this year, Keir Mather, the minister for decarbonisation, stated that the increased grant would cover approximately half the cost of installing a home charger. The move is part of broader efforts to remove barriers for those wishing to switch to an EV but who are deterred by the lack of a driveway for convenient charging.
Parliamentary Questions on EV Charging
Several questions on the topic have been raised in Parliament. Joe Robertson, Conservative MP for the Isle of Wight, asked the Secretary of State for Transport: 'pursuant to the Answer of 14 April 2026 to Question 124238 on Electric Vehicles: Charging Points, how many applicants have successfully received funding under the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant for Households with On-Street Parking; and what the total value is of funding awarded under that scheme.'
Mr Mather responded earlier this week: 'As of January 1, 2026, the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant for Households with On-Street Parking grant has funded 39 sockets with a grant value of £13,531. The grant funds the installation of charge points at residential properties with on-street parking if they are also installing a cross-pavement solution. This grant is in addition to the £25 million Electric Vehicle Pavement Channels Grant for local authorities.' He added: 'The Government has consulted on measures to reduce planning permission requirements for cross-pavement solutions, further supporting households with on-street parking, and will be responding in due course.'
Further Parliamentary Inquiries
Shivani Raja, Conservative MP for Leicester East, asked what steps the Secretary of State for Transport is taking with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to improve the accessibility and affordability of at-home EV charging. Mr Mather responded: 'The Government continues to offer grant funding for those living in flats and rented accommodation, with up to £500 per charge point socket. The Government is also continuing to support drivers to access cheaper, flexible charging tariffs, both at home and in public. The Government set out a range of steps to support this as part of its Clean Flexibility Roadmap 2025.'
Jerome Mayhew, Conservative MP for Broadland and Fakenham, asked about plans to expand permitted development rights to include pavement gullies for at-home EV charging. Mr Mather replied: 'The Department ran a consultation between November 2025 and January 2026, seeking views on changes to permitted development rights for cross-pavement charging solutions. The Department will publish its response shortly.'
