New planning rules in the UK are set to affect electric car ownership for homeowners and tenants alike, regardless of whether they have a driveway. Last year, the Government confirmed plans to scrap red tape for electric car chargers, allowing motorists to install plugs on their own land without requiring planning permission.
Officials claimed the move would help homeowners unlock access to electric cars, allowing residents to save up to £1,100 a year compared to running a petrol or diesel car. Using at-home electric car plugs is much cheaper than using public charging bays, with road users able to top up their vehicle for as little as 2p per mile. However, officials are set to go a step further in 2026, also scrapping barriers for motorists without access to private driveways to enjoy the savings. Removing planning permission rules will allow EV owners to install discreet cross-pavement charging gullies so they can top up on the side of a street.
Up until now, those without off-street parking have had to charge their vehicles away from home, paying far more than necessary. Carwow has stressed that many homeowners and tenants have faced an "uphill battle” pushing for the rule change and stressed the move could dramatically boost interest in EVs.
Carwowsaid: “But why should this matter to you? Well, for everyday drivers, this could be a game-changer. Renters and flat-dwellers have long faced an uphill battle when it comes to charging at home, often relying on slower or pricier public chargers.
“By removing planning permission barriers and bringing in new measures to protect tenants, owning an electric car could soon become far more accessible and affordable.”
A consultation on the measures ran from late 2025 until January 2026, with a summary of responses and a Government response due to be published shortly.
If the measure is approved, the policy will mean that all electric car owners, regardless of whether they have a driveway, can access cheaper rates.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Wherever you park your car, we’re making it fairer, easier, and cheaper to make the switch to electric.
“These reforms will improve infrastructure for the EV revolution, increase chargepoints across the country and open up affordable home charging to thousands more households.”
