New rule that started last month and affects every UK driveway is a ‘great’ step

New motoring rules affecting every road user with a driveway have been branded a “great” next step for electric cars. Daniel Kunkel, CEO at GRIDSERVE, welcomed news that the Government had cut red tape on electric charge points being installed at homes.

The new rules introduced at the end of May mean that motorists no longer need to submit a planning application to install a private EV plug. The updates also apply to workplace and public charge points, allowing businesses to install charge points much quicker. The Government stressed that the move would help to “power up the EV revolution" in the UK.

Speaking exclusively to the Express, Daniel stressed the news was good for motorists but seemed to suggest the rule could go even further.

He said: “'It is great to see the government working to break down the barriers that still remain for the roll-out of electric vehicle charging nationwide.

“The changes could go deeper to be more relevant for EV charging requirements and allow more than one ancillary unit (e.g. feeder pillar or transformer).

“For companies like GRIDSERVE, where we want to install multiple charge points in locations to give confidence to drivers, we would like to see more units permitted alongside the chargers.

“This would increase the speed of development and would help us bring more and larger sites onboard sooner. We are pleased there is a call for evidence to further evaluate these requirements.”

Ancillary units help power charging points and an increase in numbers may help to enable the swifter roll-out of larger EV charging sites with more plugs.

An increase in the number of charging stations will likely give drivers more confidence to ditch their petrol and diesel vehicles and go electric.

Analysis from ZapMap shows there are a whopping 80,998 electric charging points in the UK as of May 2025.

Data shows that a staggering 1,344 charging stations were added to the database last month showing the number of plugs available to road users is continuing to rise.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA said: “With a target of 300,000 publicly available chargers by 2030, government should be doing all it can to help reach this milestone. Removing the planning rules is a positive step and will help accelerate installations.

"The crucial element is ensuring grid connection in a timely manner. This is especially important in rural locations and areas where there is no dedicated off-street parking."