‘I can charge my car for £6’: could new rules cut costs for EV drivers?
From Wednesday, drivers in England without off-street parking will no longer need planning permission to install a pavement gully for an EV charging cable. The change could make home charging much cheaper and simplify switching to electric cars, but access and prices will still depend on where people live.
Around 9.3 million households lack off-street parking, yet more than 20 councils will continue to refuse gullies. Installation averages about £1,200 without a grant, though examples range from £250 in South Gloucestershire to £499 in Surrey; Redbridge charges £815 in fees and for a bond, before any extra installation costs. Conservation area residents will still need permission, and councils distribute £25m of government funding differently.
- New rules remove planning permission for many pavement gullies.
- Home charging can cost up to 90% less than public charging.
- Council policies, grants and fees still vary widely.