Homeowners in England can now install an electric vehicle (EV) charger on their driveway without needing planning permission, and switching to home-charged EV driving could save motorists around £1,100 a year compared with running a petrol or diesel car.
What the new driveway rule is
The core change is to planning rules for EV charge-points at homes in England.
Homeowners are now allowed to install a single wall‑mounted or free‑standing EV charger on their driveway without applying for householder planning permission.
The rule applies across England and is part of a wider push to speed up installation of charging infrastructure and encourage drivers to go electric.
How it helps you save money
The savings come from cheaper running costs when you charge an EV at home instead of fuelling a petrol or diesel car.
Government estimates suggest motorists could be better off by up to about £1,100 per year by switching to an EV and mainly charging on their own driveway.
Removing planning red tape also cuts installation delays and associated costs for essential electrical infrastructure, including home chargers and local charging hubs.
Rules and limits for home chargers
There are still conditions on what you can put on your driveway even under the relaxed rules.
The charger must not exceed 0.2 cubic metres in volume and has to be sited at least two metres from a public road.
Only one charger is covered by this permitted development right; larger setups or different configurations may still need permission from the local authority.
When you may still need permission
Not every homeowner can automatically go ahead, and some setups remain restricted.
Leaseholders, tenants and those in flats usually need the freeholder or landlord’s consent before any external alterations are made.
New‑build estates and some managed developments may have covenants or title‑deed rules limiting changes to exteriors, which can include adding EV chargers.