Drivers in Britain without a driveway can now install a cross-pavement cable gully without applying for planning permission, making home EV charging a little more straightforward.
The gullies let a cable run from a home wallbox to a car parked at the kerbside. The pavement still needs to be cut into so the cable sits safely below the surface and does not create a trip hazard.
Simon Lightwood, the buses and local transport minister, said removing the planning requirement could save motorists £300 when fitting a wallbox. The change is aimed at making electric cars more realistic for people who cannot park on their own property.
A sizeable gap in access
More than nine million of the UK’s 27 million homes do not have off-street parking, according to the RAC. A 2025 survey of 1,668 drivers by the Electric Vehicle Association England found that 60% of petrol and diesel car owners in that position would never consider an EV.
The government has already set aside £25 million for cross-pavement charging solutions. It is also consulting on making home charging easier and requiring new-build homes to include a charging solution.
Local authorities and landlords will still have an important role in making these options available in practice.
Why it matters for Britain
The rule change could reduce the cost and paperwork involved in home charging for households without driveways. That gives more people a practical route to owning an EV, although access will still depend on local authorities, landlords and suitable pavements.
