The Department for Transport has confirmed that planning permission is no longer required to install an electric vehicle (EV) chargepoint in England. The regulation, which came into effect last year, applies to private residential driveways, workplaces and public streets, potentially benefiting those without a driveway as well.
In May 2025 the Government announced it was slashing bureaucracy for both motorists and businesses with immediate effect. Previously, there had been accounts of it taking up to nine months to secure planning permission from councils for public installations.
Government aims to boost charging infrastructure
Enhancing public charging infrastructure is regarded as crucial to encourage more motorists – particularly those without off-street parking – to transition to electric motoring. A report issued by public spending watchdog the National Audit Office in December 2024 concluded the deployment of public EV chargers was "on track" to achieve the 300,000 the DfT estimates will be the minimum required by 2030.
The Government has committed to prohibiting the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030.
Industry reaction to the change
Announcing the change, future of roads minister Lilian Greenwood said: "We're cutting down on paperwork to power up the EV revolution so that drivers, businesses and those looking to make the switch will have more chargepoints to power from and less red tape to deal with. We continue to make the switch to EVs easier, cheaper and better by investing over £2.3 billion to support drivers and back British carmakers through international trade deals, creating jobs, boosting investment and securing our future."
Lewis Gardiner, operations director at Osprey Charging Network, described the announcement as "a hugely welcome and practical change that will make a real difference on the ground". He added: "Removing the need for planning permission for essential electrical infrastructure like substations across the majority of sites will save months of delays, reduce costs and accelerate the delivery of the rapid charging hubs drivers need."
Concerns over grid connection and costs
AA head of roads policy Jack Cousens stated that the Government must do "all it can" to boost the number of EV chargers, adding that relaxing planning regulations "will help accelerate installations". He said: "The crucial element is ensuring grid connection in a timely manner. This is especially important in rural locations and areas where there is no dedicated off-street parking."
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis welcomed the announcement because encouraging more drivers to make their next car an EV depends on "removing the obstacles some people face". However, he cautioned that the "relatively high cost of public charging... still needs to be tackled".
Delvin Lane, chief executive of charger company InstaVolt, said: "Anything that helps remove barriers to EV adoption and gives all drivers confidence in the infrastructure – helping remove range anxiety – is a strong move in the right direction."
