The Labour government has unveiled a major new initiative designed to make electric vehicle (EV) ownership dramatically cheaper and more accessible for millions of households across the UK. The centrepiece of the plan is a target to enable families to run their EVs for as little as 2p per mile by facilitating home charging, even for those without a private driveway.
Cutting Red Tape and Costs for Renters and Leaseholders
Under the proposed reforms, significant barriers to installing home chargers will be removed. The government has confirmed it will consult on scrapping the planning permission currently required for households without driveways to install discreet cross-pavement charging gullies. This move is expected to speed up applications and save drivers up to £250 in application fees.
Furthermore, the plans include a mandate for chargepoints in new covered car parks, directly assisting renters and leaseholders. A key focus is strengthening protections to prevent landlords from overcharging tenants for electricity used in home charging above the market rate, with Ofgem set to be involved in ensuring fair public costs.
Powering the UK's Electric Transition
This package is part of a broader push to bolster the UK's EV infrastructure and maintain its leading position in Europe's electric car market. The government highlighted that the UK ranked number 1 in Europe's EV market in 2024, with sales up by nearly a third so far this year.
With 86,021 public chargers currently available across the country, the new measures aim to directly address 'charging anxiety' by making reliable, affordable charging a reality at home for almost everyone. The government and Ofgem will also work to ensure public charging operators provide high-quality, rapid, and resilient connections to support the nationwide rollout.
Next Steps and Industry Consultation
The government will shortly launch a formal consultation on the full package of reforms, inviting industry stakeholders to help shape the final implementation. The goal is to give drivers the confidence to switch to electric by ensuring the infrastructure is in place to power their journeys conveniently and at a low cost.
If achieved, the 2p-per-mile rate would mean a journey from London to Birmingham could cost as little as £2.50 to power, representing a huge potential saving over traditional petrol or diesel fuel and public rapid charging.
