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Motorists can open up savings of up to £1,100 per year due to a new driveway rule that came into effect last year, according to officials. Last summer, Labour made it easier than ever for homeowners to install electric vehicle chargepoints as planning permission rules were axed.

Previously, homeowners had to apply for householder planning permission to install an EV charger on their own drive. However, under the updates, homeowners no longer require permission if they wish to install a single wall-mounted or pedestal EV charger on their drives.

Reducing planning rules and making it easier to secure EV chargers is likely to ease the pressure on motorists who are perhaps sitting on the fence about making the switch away from petrol and diesel cars.

The Government claims the new rule will unlock savings of up to £1,100 a year when compared to running a traditional combustion petrol and diesel vehicle.

Speaking after the announcement was confirmed, Lewis Gardiner, operations director, Osprey Charging Network backed the move.

Lewis said: "This is a hugely welcome and practical change that will make a real difference on the ground. Removing the need for planning permission for essential electrical infrastructure like substations across the majority of sites will save months of delays, reduce costs and accelerate the delivery of the rapid charging hubs drivers need. It's the result of months of collaboration between industry and government and we're proud to have played a key role in making it happen."

To comply with the rules, chargers must not be more than 0.2 cubic metres in size and has to be at least two metres away from the public highway. However, the new rules are not a free-for-all with some simple loopholes remaining in place.

Those living in leasehold properties may face some opposition as the freeholder may restrict what changes can be made to a house. Some new-build housing estates impose rules in title deeds that may restrict changes to the outside of a home, which may include installing charging plugs.

Meanwhile, those who share a driveway with a neighbour could also face problems and the risk of legal disputes.

The UK currently has around 1.75 million fully electric cars on the road, with electric car demand remaining on the up. Data from the SMMT shows 47,000 new cars sold in 2025, an increase of 8% on the figures from 2024.