Andy Burnham introduces new driveway rule with £2,000 warning – started in October

A temporary VAT cut on household electricity is expected to widen the cost gap between electric car drivers who can charge at home and those who depend on public rapid chargers. The policy, attributed in the article to Andy Burnham, is due to run from October 2026 to July 2027; critics say it benefits drivers with driveways while leaving many street-parking drivers paying higher VAT on charging.

Costpermile.co.uk estimates annual charging costs of about £200 for a homeowner using a smart tariff to drive 10,000 miles, compared with £2,260 for someone relying on public rapid chargers, a difference of £2,060. New AutoMotive has called for VAT rates to be equalised and also supports overnight tariffs for public chargers, while Char.gy’s chief executive says public charging is the only option for millions.