Government eases rules for EV charging without driveways

On 14 September 2026 the UK Government announced new permitted development rights that remove the requirement for a separate planning application when installing cross‑pavement EV charging points. The change targets households without driveways, aiming to simplify home charging and support broader electric‑vehicle adoption.

Key takeaways

• New permitted development rights exempt cross‑pavement chargers from planning applications.
• Installations still require local council approval.
• Around 40% of UK homes lack off‑street parking, the policy addresses this gap.
• Revised rules permit multiple equipment cabinets in a single car‑park site.
• Changes aim to reduce costs and speed up EV charging roll‑out.

Permitted development rights for cross‑pavement charging

Following a consultation, the government will grant homeowners the right to install cross‑pavement charging solutions, often called “charging gullies”, without filing a separate planning application. The move is intended to remove a long‑standing barrier for people who cannot park on their own property.

Under the previous regime, drivers without a driveway needed to obtain several different permissions from local authorities before a charging gully could be fitted, a process many described as costly and time‑consuming.

Continued council involvement

Although the planning requirement is lifted, each installation must still receive approval from the relevant local council. The government acknowledges that councils will retain discretion over whether a charging gully can be placed on a public pavement.

James Court, public policy director at Octopus Electric Vehicles, warned that the change does not solve the “postcode lottery” because council decisions will continue to vary, potentially limiting the benefit for some neighbourhoods.

Public charging infrastructure adjustments

The policy package also amends rules for car‑park chargers. It now allows more than one equipment cabinet – housing transformers, control gear and batteries – to be installed at a single site.

Previously only a single cabinet was permitted per car park, restricting the number of high‑power chargers that could be deployed. The new flexibility should enable operators to increase charger capacity where demand exists.

What this means for dealers

Dealers can now promote home‑charging solutions to customers without driveways as a straightforward, low‑cost option, potentially widening the appeal of electric vehicles and boosting sales.

Firms involved in charging‑point installation or partnerships with electricians should anticipate a rise in enquiries, but must also track local council policies as approval processes will still differ between authorities.

Frequently asked questions

Will homeowners still need any permission to install a cross‑pavement charger?

Yes. While the new permitted development rights remove the need for a formal planning application, each installation must still obtain consent from the local council, which retains the authority to approve or reject the work.

How many equipment cabinets can now be placed in a car park?

The revised rules allow multiple equipment cabinets to be installed at a single car‑park site, whereas previously only one cabinet was permitted, enabling a greater number of high‑power chargers to be fitted.

What impact could the changes have on EV sales for dealers?

By simplifying home‑charging for households without driveways, the changes reduce a key barrier to EV ownership. Dealers can market this convenience to a broader customer base, potentially increasing electric‑vehicle sales and driving demand for related installation services.