Labour has introduced another little-known driveway rule change, with Andy Burnham updating policies once again this month. The Prime Minister adjusted VAT rates on domestic electricity supply from October 1, with fees slashed from 5% to 0%. The move was aimed at helping families with electricity bills, but it had a knock-on effect for electric car owners, with experts tipping the decision to save EV owners up to £40 per year.
Cross-Pavement Solutions and Red Tape
Andy Burnham will also slash red tape for cross-pavement solutions from October 21, allowing road users without off-street parking or a driveway to benefit from cheaper domestic rates using tools such as cross path gullies. However, road users may not be aware that Labour already tweaked driveway rules last year when the party was ruled by Sir Keir Starmer.
Streamlined EV Chargepoint Installation
Labour introduced a new streamlined process for installing public and private electric vehicle chargepoints in May 2025, easing the process of getting a plug fitted. Under the tweaks, EV owners no longer need to submit a planning application to install public or private EV cables.
Officials warned that by cutting down on paperwork, EV owners with a driveway would “find it easier, quicker and cheaper to install a private chargepoint”. At the time, the Government suggested the move could help unlock savings of up to £1,100 a year when compared to running a petrol or diesel vehicle.
Workplace and Public Chargepoints
The tweak also applied to workplace and public chargepoints, allowing businesses to install new sockets faster and for much less. Officials stressed that this would also help to increase the number of public chargepoints available across the country.
The decision was backed by the EV industry, with experts suggesting the move would make a “real difference” to motorists. Lewis Gardiner, operations director, Osprey Charging Network, previously said: “This is a hugely welcome and practical change that will make a real difference on the ground.
“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. It’s the result of months of collaboration between industry and government and we’re proud to have played a key role in making it happen.”
