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In a move to speed up the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging points, the Department for Transport has declared that from Thursday, planning permission will no longer be necessary
for installing them at various sites throughout England. This deregulation includes private residential driveways, workplace settings and public highways. The intention is to remove the
administrative barriers that have been slowing down the growth of chargepoints, with reports indicating that securing planning permission from local authorities for public installations
could take as long as nine months. Improving the availability of public charging facilities is considered essential in persuading additional motorists, especially those without access to
home parking, to shift over to electric vehicles. A report from the National Audit Office released in December maintains that the development of public EV chargers is on course to meet the
Department for Transport's forecasted minimal need of 300,000 by the year 2030. The Government plans to end sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030. Lilian Greenwood, the
Minister responsible for the Future of Roads, expressed: "We're cutting down on paperwork to power up the EV revolution so that drivers, businesses and those looking to make the
switch will have more chargepoints to power from and less red tape to deal with", reports the Express. "We continue to make the switch to EVs easier, cheaper and better by
investing over £2.3 billion to support drivers and back British carmakers through international trade deals, creating jobs, boosting investment and securing our future." Lewis Gardiner,
operations director at Osprey Charging Network, hailed the announcement as "a hugely welcome and practical change that will make a real difference on the ground". He added:
"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." Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, insisted the Government must do "all it can" to boost the number of EV
chargers, noting that easing planning regulations "will help accelerate installations". He continued: "The crucial element is ensuring grid connection in a timely manner. This
is especially important in rural locations and areas where there is no dedicated off-street parking." RAC's senior policy officer Rod Dennis celebrated the announcement, saying
that coaxing more drivers to choose an EV for their next car hinges on "removing the obstacles some people face". However, he cautioned that the "relatively high cost of
public charging... still needs to be tackled".