Motorists in electric vehicles (EVs) are facing objections from councils and local authorities across England, as more than 20 councils are scrapping a rule change that would have made it easier for households without driveways to charge their cars. The change, which would have removed the need for planning permission for cross-pavement charging gullies, has been blocked by councils citing safety, legal, and parking concerns.
Councils Opposing the Change
Among the councils that will not allow gullies are Kent, Leicester, Worcestershire, Westminster, and Hackney. This affects around nine million households in the UK that do not have access to off-street parking. The government had pledged to legislate this summer to make it easier for people without driveways to charge an electric vehicle at home, but the opposition from local authorities is creating a significant barrier.
Industry Reactions
Michael Goulden, co-founder of Kerbo Charge, explained that each installation still requires local authority approval. “We’re getting more and more streamlined with local authorities to make that more efficient,” he said. However, he added that many inner London boroughs have no plans to implement cross-pavement charging in the near future. Adam Dolphin, director of Gul-e, noted that the different processes across councils are not intentional barriers but rather a matter of working through the procedures.
Government and Investor Perspectives
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband emphasized the need to accelerate the UK’s transition away from fossil fuels, stating: “Every solar panel we put up, every wind turbine we build, every heat pump we install, every EV on the road makes our country more secure.” Deborah Meaden, investor in Kerbo Charge from Dragons’ Den, highlighted the challenge of making EV charging fair for everyone. She welcomed the government’s recent announcement of £25 million funding for cross-pavement charging and a consultation on changing permitted development rights for home chargers.
