The government is set to relax planning rules for EV drivers without access to off-street parking at home so that they will be allowed to install pavement gulleys outside their houses without having to apply to their local councils.

Ministers have announced plans to pass legislation this summer that will make the necessary changes and cut red tape for people who could charge outside their houses on the street. 

Electrifying recently reported on a Vauxhall campaign that highlighted the lack of consistency among UK councils in their provision of pavement gully installation. The carmaker is also offering its new customers £500 towards the cost of installation, a price that also varies wildly across the country. 

Sales of electric vehicles reached their highest ever in March according to the latest numbers from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, and Electrifying has seen a spike in traffic in recent weeks from people interested in making the switch to electric.

The government is also planning other changes to make it easier for homeowners to install home heat pumps and solar panels without having to get planning permission first. Ministers hope the moves will cut electricity and gas bills for households across the country and insulate them against future shocks in fossil fuel prices.

Another effort to reduce costs involves changing the way that electricity prices are calculated, which could also have a beneficial impact on households. Currently the Ofgem price cap is heavily linked to gas prices, even though cheaper renewable energy makes up a larger part of the UK grid’s mix.