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ROADSIDE CHARGING: Taxi and private hire drivers without driveways could benefit as England scraps EV charging planning requirement
Taxi and private hire drivers in England who lack off-street parking could find it easier to charge electric vehicles at home following changes to planning regulations that took effect today.
The Government has removed the requirement for separate planning permission for qualifying cross-pavement electric vehicle charging installations, allowing eligible households to connect vehicles parked on the street to domestic electricity supplies.
The Department for Transport said the change could save drivers up to £300 in installation costs by removing an additional planning application.
The new arrangements could be particularly relevant to professional drivers operating electric taxis and private hire vehicles who currently depend on more expensive public charging infrastructure because they cannot park on a private driveway.
Cross-pavement charging involves installing a channel within the pavement through which an electric vehicle charging cable can pass safely between a residential property and a vehicle parked on the street.
The arrangement is designed to avoid loose cables obstructing pedestrian routes while allowing drivers to access domestic electricity tariffs.
The Department for Transport said home charging through the new arrangements could cost as little as 2p per mile, depending on the electricity tariff and vehicle.
It also estimated that access to domestic charging could provide running-cost savings of up to £1,750.
Those figures are Government estimates for motorists generally, rather than calculations specifically based on taxi or private hire vehicle operations.
Actual savings for professional drivers would depend on annual mileage, vehicle efficiency, electricity prices, charging arrangements and the cost of any remaining public charging.
The regulatory change follows amendments to England’s permitted development rules made through the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2026. The legislation was made on 25 September and came into force on 21 October.
Local authorities retain responsibility for assessing proposed installations, including their potential effects on pedestrian safety and accessibility.
The permitted development exemption also excludes installations within conservation areas, scheduled monument sites and the grounds of listed buildings.
Drivers living in those locations may still require planning permission, alongside any other necessary approvals.
The arrangements do not provide exclusive parking rights outside a property. That limitation could be significant for taxi and private hire drivers who require reliable overnight charging to ensure their vehicles are ready for work.
Where an on-street parking space cannot be secured consistently, access to a domestic charging connection may remain uncertain even after the installation has been approved.
The Government said the reforms would help accelerate the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure while reducing installation costs. Alongside the changes taking effect on Wednesday, ministers have launched a consultation on improving charging access for tenants and leaseholders.
