Government slashes red tape on EV gullies - RAC reaction
Following the Department for Transport's announcement that drivers will no longer need planning permission to install cross-pavement chargers, head of policy Simon William said:
“Slashing red tape and making it cheaper and easier to install cross-pavement chargers or EV gullies for EV owners that don’t have a driveway is a much-needed step in the right direction to make charging fairer and accessible for all. Charging at home is significantly cheaper than using public charging points, which remain subject to 20% VAT unlike home rates which are currently benefiting from zero tax rates.
“But while all this sounds good on paper, it’s important to remember that for the millions of households in the UK that don’t have driveways, the reality is that there is of course no guarantee of being able to park in front of their own home within reach of their charging cable. And while the requirement for planning permission has been scrapped, residents will still need authorisation from their council, who will consider aspects like underground utilities, making sure that an EV gully doesn't interfere with gas, electricity, water or telecoms infrastructure, as well as ensuring that it isn't a hindrance to others. So while the Government's announcement does make life easier for some EV owners, it's not a silver bullet.
“To make EV charging cheaper for those that don’t have a driveway, the Government should also be minded to cut VAT on public charging to match home rates. While this won’t make public charging as cheap as home charging, it will go some way in bringing down costs for those forced to rely on public chargers. Following the surge in fuel prices off the back of the US/Iran war and the Ukraine war, more people are wanting to switch to electric. The Government has a real opportunity to supercharge this by making EV charging more accessible for those that don’t have a driveway.”
Press team
