New UK car rule affecting every driveway in Britain started this summer

A new rule affecting every driveway in the UK was introduced back in May with major updates affecting homeowners. Experts have insisted the changes will "remove the obstacles" to electric vehicle adoption in the UK, possibly saving motorists thousands of pounds.

Earlier this year, the Government confirmed drivers would no longer need to submit planning applications to install electric vehicle charging sockets outside their homes. The new rule came into effect on May 29, cutting down on the paperwork and red tape needed to fit the technology. The Department for Transport (DfT) claimed the news would unlock savings of up to £1,100 per year when compared to getting behind the wheel of a petrol or diesel car.

Future of Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, explained: "We’re cutting down on paperwork to power up the EV revolution so that drivers, businesses and those looking to make the switch will have more chargepoints to power from and less red tape to deal with."

At-home electric car sockets allow road users to enjoy the benefits of cheaper domestic charging rates. Charging at home is convenient and often a lot more affordable than using public bays.

The new planning changes have also been applied to workplaces, meaning that businesses can also install new sockets at a quicker rate. RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis stressed motorists could soon be enjoying an "incredibly cheap" way to top-up their cars.

He said: "Getting more drivers to opt for an EV next time around depends on reducing the costs and removing the obstacles some people face - and that includes having to seek planning permission for a home charger. Having one installed unlocks the prospect of incredibly cheap charging, so homeowners will welcome this announcement."

According to ZapMap, there are around an estimated one million home charge points installed on driveways across the UK.

Meanwhile, estimates suggest there are more than 75,000 public charging plugs available across the country.

Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said: "Any measures which remove the hassle and red tape preventing homeowners and companies from installing new electric vehicle chargers are an important step in the right direction.

"However, to give drivers the confidence they need to make the switch to electric vehicles, the government should step up their efforts to get chargepoints installed in car parks, service stations, and parts of the country where there currently aren't enough chargers.”