New rules could unlock EV charging without driveways

EV Charger station at home — *Getting an EV charger is about to become more accessible for homeowners without driveways* (Image credit: Getty Images)

Installing an electric vehicle charger at home has become increasingly normal for UK households, but only if you have somewhere to park off-street.

For the millions of homes without driveways, particularly terraced properties and urban housing, the planning system has effectively acted as a barrier, often preventing installation altogether due to rules around cables crossing public pavements.

Now, that is beginning to change. The government is moving to relax planning permission regulations to make it significantly easier to install EV charging for on-street parking, marking one of the most important shifts yet for homeowners who have previously been locked out of home charging.

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What is actually being removed

The central change is the extension of permitted development rights to cover certain EV charging installations for homes without driveways.

Under the proposed rules:

Installing pavement-integrated charging solutions (such as cable gullies) will no longer require planning permission
Homeowners will be able to proceed without submitting a formal planning application

This brings on-street EV charging closer in line with the rules already in place for properties with off-street parking, where most home chargers are now installed without planning consent.

What still requires approval

An IKEA EV charger on a white house charging a silver car — *Permission will not be guaranteed for EV chargers* (Image credit: IKEA)

While planning permission is being removed from the process, installation is not becoming completely unrestricted, as homeowners will still need approval from the local highways authority and must comply with pavement safety and accessibility requirements.

This means councils will continue to assess whether pavements are suitable for modification, taking into account public safety considerations as well as local street conditions and usage.

So while the planning hurdle is being lifted, local authority oversight remains a key part of the process.

What this means for homeowners and renovators

For those in the homebuilding and renovation space, the change is less about the technology and more about unlocking previously unusable properties.

It means:

Homes without driveways can now realistically factor EV charging into renovation plans
Front-of-house electrical layouts may need to be designed with future charging access in mind
Urban properties could become more competitive as EV ownership grows

It also signals a broader shift in how homes are expected to support transport infrastructure, particularly in densely built areas where off-street parking is limited or non-existent.

The direction of travel

Although the changes are not fully in force yet, the policy direction is clear: planning rules are being adjusted to reflect the reality of modern housing stock and the rapid rise in electric vehicle ownership.

For homeowners and renovators, the key takeaway is that EV charging is no longer being designed solely around driveways and the planning system is starting to adapt accordingly.

News Editor Joseph has previously written for Today’s Media and Chambers & Partners, focusing on news for conveyancers and industry professionals. Joseph has just started his own self build project, building his own home on his family’s farm with planning permission for a timber frame, three-bedroom house in a one-acre field. The foundation work has already begun and he hopes to have the home built in the next year. Prior to this he renovated his family's home as well as doing several DIY projects, including installing a shower, building sheds, and livestock fences and shelters for the farm’s animals. Outside of homebuilding, Joseph loves rugby and has written for Rugby World, the world’s largest rugby magazine.