Following the Government’s announcement that drivers will no longer need planning permission to install cross-pavement chargers which run under pavements from people’s homes to their cars, Thom Groot, CEO and Co-Founder of The Electric Car Scheme, has said that the key to the long-term success of the move is collaboration.

The announcement also highlighted the wider issue of charging affordability, particularly for drivers who cannot charge at home and may have to rely on more expensive public charging networks. On what the changes mean for EV drivers and the importance of improving access to affordable charging, 

“Removing planning barriers to home electric vehicle charging is a positive step towards making ownership more accessible and affordable for drivers in England. However, scrapping the planning requirement is only part of the solution. Local highway authorities must still approve cross-pavement installations, meaning drivers without off-street parking could continue to face barriers to convenient home charging,” says Mr Groot.

“The government must now work with local councils to simplify approvals and provide clear, consistent guidance, while continuing to invest in reliable, affordable public charging. This is particularly important because drivers who cannot charge at home may face significantly higher costs, despite the potential savings EVs can offer on running costs.

“Schemes such as The Electric Car Scheme’s Charge Scheme can help eligible employees manage charging costs through salary sacrifice, with options for charging at home, at work and across public charging networks. Ultimately, making EV ownership more affordable means ensuring drivers have access to convenient, reliable charging, regardless of where they live.”

(Picture: Kerbo Charge)