EV charging just got a massive boost for millions in the UK as rule changes make it easier to avoid 'driveway discrimination at home

Date:
Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:06:47 +0000

Description:
As of April 1, the UK government will introduce a raft of new grants and incentives, as well as the relaxing of planning permissions, to increase EV uptake

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member
features. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting
your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter A relaxation of EV rules and a boost in grants will arrive in April It will become easier for owners to install embedded pavement channels Councils will also receive funding for the next three years to help them boost local charging infrastructure Rule changes that are due to take effect on April 1
of this year could help reshape how UK drivers access EV charging especially those without driveways.

Following an announcement made back in February 2026, the UK government says it has increased charge point grant amounts by more than 40%, while
increasing support to local councils to make it easier for those without private driveways to access an EV charging solution. For example, the government is said be easing restrictions on cross-pavement charging (which I've previously argued is a good but limited idea ) making it simpler to run
a compliant cable from a domestic residence to a street-parked car. Article continues below You may like UK government urges everyone to buy an EV while ignoring 5 big roadblocks I've owned an EV for four years and this could end my range anxiety woes As gas prices rise, heres how much buying an EV could save you

Drivers without off-street parking have long faced driveway discrimination when it comes to charging electric vehicles, explains Matt Galvin, Managing Director, Polestar UK.

Galvin went on to explain that Polestar welcomes this policy to make it
easier to install home charging solutions which will help more people switch from petrol and diesel cars, reducing running costs and cutting air pollution and traffic noise in our towns and cities, he added. Analysis: A positive
move for EV owners (Image credit: Ohme) The recent announcement by the UK government could be a real game-changer for EV owners, as one of the biggest road blocks towards the widespread adoption of this technology is the frankly unacceptable cost of the public charging network.

As EV battery packs get larger the effective tank now costs more to fill, and if EV owners arent able to install a charger at home, this is rapidly
becoming unaffordable. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from
us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

After recently driving the Kia EV9 for a week, I faced a bill of well over
150 in public charging fees. Covering the same distance in my old diesel van would have cost half the amount.

Unfortunately, those living with no off-street parking, renters and even
small business owners are often faced with reams of red tape when it comes to EV charging options, such as those low-powered units installed on existing street furniture or cross-pavement charging solutions.

These see a small gulley made in the pavement or sidewalk, which allows EV owners to safely trail a charging cable from a flat or terraced house without causing a dangerous trip hazard. What to read next Megawatt charging is go BYD's new 1,500kW EV network has gas station speeds A massive new survey just dispelled the biggest myth about EV batteries UK government wants to prioritize getting data centers access to the national grid

It makes it possible to charge from a domestic socket, without the need to install a 7kW charger.

Were taking action to make EV ownership the affordable choice for everyone not just those with driveways, aviation, maritime and decarbonization minister, Keir Mather said. (Image credit: Char.gy) Bigger grants mean families, flat owners, renters and small businesses can now install a charger for almost half the usual cost, with home charging costing as little as 2p a mile, he added.

On top of this, local councils will receive funding for the next three years to help them boost local charging infrastructure.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords
Association, is also urging landlords to make best use of the grants, stating that almost 9 in 10 landlords with a suitable property would install EV
charge points if a tenant asks them to undertake this work.

This recent announcement, alongside the existing 2 billion Electric Car
Grant, which offers savings on certain electric vehicles, is designed to make the idea of EV ownership more attractive.

With prices of fuel still rising due to the conflict in the Middle East, Octopus Energy has reported that EV charger sales are up 20% month-on-month, as drivers look to escape unpredictable costs at the pumps.

EV demand is there, it just needs to be as simple as possible for prospective owners to be able to charge at home for less. Otherwise making the switch simply makes no sense. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehicles/ev-charging-ju st-got-a-massive-boost-for-millions-in-the-uk-as-rule-changes-make-it-easier-t o-avoid-driveway-discrimination-at-home


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