Car dealers could benefit from plans to make home electric vehicle (EV) charging easier for households without driveways as brands work towards Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) sales targets.
The Government has confirmed it will ease planning rules in England for cross-pavement charging systems, which allow residents to connect an electric car parked on the road to a domestic charger.
The reforms are intended to reduce the time, cost and paperwork involved in installing the systems, potentially removing a barrier for private buyers who cannot currently charge an EV at home.
Ensure you always receive AM insights. Make us a preferred source of news on Google
Car brands have relied heavily on fleets to generate electric vehicle volumes, while weaker demand among private buyers has led to substantial discounting and pressure on dealer networks.
Making cheaper home charging accessible to a wider group of customers could therefore strengthen the retail proposition presented by dealerships and widen the potential market for new and used electric cars.
Planning applications to be removed
The Department for Transport’s (DfT) response to the consultation confirmed that a new permitted development right will be introduced for cross-pavement charging solutions and their associated domestic chargepoints.
These systems, sometimes known as charging gullies, provide an enclosed channel through which a cable can run between a property and a vehicle parked on the road. This avoids leaving a loose cable across the pavement.
Installing a cross-pavement system can currently require three separate permissions, including planning permission, approval under the Highways Act 1980 and permission for street works.
The new permitted development right will remove the need to submit a separate planning application.
However, local authority oversight will remain.
Installations will still require relevant Highways Act and street works permissions, while the new planning right will be subject to conditions, limitations and prior approval where appropriate.
The Government said this would ensure safety, accessibility and the effect on the local area continued to be considered.
Home charging central to EV demand
Home charging is generally cheaper and more convenient than relying on the public network, making access an important consideration for customers deciding whether an electric car is suitable.
The Government’s consultation found that a lack of off-street parking made it difficult for many households to access domestic charging.
Respondents said cross-pavement systems could provide more equitable access to home charging and warned that the transition to EVs would be slower without them.
Of the consultation responses addressing the proposed cross-pavement permitted development right, 104 supported the change, 29 opposed it and nine were unsure.
Concerns included pedestrian safety, electrical risks, accessibility for disabled people and the potential effect on listed buildings and conservation areas.
Faster public charger installations
Planning rules will also be amended to support the installation of more powerful public and commercial EV charging infrastructure.
Existing permitted development rights allow one equipment housing unit, used for systems such as transformers, control equipment and batteries, within a non-domestic off-street car park.
The reforms will allow multiple equipment units to be installed without a full planning application and increase their cumulative permitted volume from 29 cubic metres to 45 cubic metres.
The Government said the higher limit reflected the amount of supporting equipment required for modern high-capacity and ultra-rapid charging installations.
For dealer groups, the change could make it easier to develop higher-powered charging facilities at dealerships and other commercial properties, subject to the final conditions attached to the legislation.
The reforms are not yet in force. Secondary legislation is expected to be laid before Parliament during autumn 2026.