Play all audios:
UK drivers could save up to £1,100 a year after rule changeThe changes are expected to save drivers up to £1,100 a yearCommentsNewsRory Poulter04:30, 31 May 2025The changes mean EV drivers
with a driveway can now power up at home without being bogged down in paperwork(Image: undefined via Getty Images) Motorists could save up to £1,100 a year under sweeping new Government
rules designed to make it quicker and easier for households and businesses to install EV chargepoints. In most cases, there'll be no need to first obtain planning permission.
The changes mean EV drivers with a driveway can now power up at home, while companies can roll out public and workplace chargers faster and more cheaply. Ministers claim that installing a
private chargepoint at home could save motorists as much as £1,100 per year compared with the cost of fuelling a traditional petrol or diesel car.
Officials claim EVs now cost as little as 2p per mile to run, with a growing number of affordable options available. Two in five used EVs are priced under £20,000, and 29 new models come
in under £30,000. Most new EVs now offer a range of nearly 300 miles – enough to travel from London to Newcastle on a single charge.
Motorists could save up to £1,100 a year under sweeping new Government reforms(Image: undefined via Getty Images) The Government hopes to boost the uptake of electric vehicles, support
British carmakers and create tens of thousands of jobs. It comes as the UK now boasts nearly 80,000 public EV chargepoints, with a new one installed every 29 minutes, according to Department
for Transport (DfT) figures.
Lilian Greenwood, the newly appointed Future of Roads Minister, said: “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.
“We continue to make the switch to EVs easier, cheaper and better by investing over £2.3bn to support drivers and back British carmakers through international trade deals - creating jobs,
boosting investment and securing our future as part of our Plan for Change.”
If you rent or own a flat, you can get either £350 or 75% off the cost to buy and install a socket, whichever amount is lower. The streamlined planning rules will also speed up the rollout
of critical infrastructure such as substations, which are needed to power the growing network of fast-charging hubs around the country.
Lewis Gardiner, Operations Director at Osprey Charging Network, said: "This is a hugely welcome and practical change that will make a real difference on the ground. 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.
Article continues below "It’s the result of months of collaboration between industry and Government, and we’re proud to have played a key role in making it happen." DfT said almost 3,000
public chargers were added to the network in April alone – the highest monthly total on record.
Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Chief Property and Procurement Officer and MD of Smart Charge, said: “Everyone at Smart Charge knows how important it is to make EV charging simple, reliable and
accessible – both to make transport cleaner and to ensure we’re meeting the everyday needs of drivers throughout the UK.
“We welcome this new streamlined approach to installing charge points, which will help accelerate the nation's adoption of EVs."