The UK Department for Transport announced on 21 October 2026 that drivers no longer need planning permission to install cross-pavement EV chargers, the channels or gullies that carry a cable under the footway from a home to a car parked on the street. The government says the change removes up to £300 from the cost of an installation and opens home charging to households without a driveway.
Key Takeaways
- Cross-pavement chargers no longer need planning permission in the UK from 21 October 2026.
- The government estimates a saving of up to £300 per installation.
- Highway authority approval and electrical compliance still apply.
- Consultations on tenant access and building regulations close on 16 December 2026.
Key Figures
- Up to £300 saved on installation, according to the DfT.
- Home charging from as little as 2p per mile, and running-cost savings of up to £1,750, the department says.
- September 2026 electric car sales were up 36% year on year, with nearly 100,000 sold in the month.
- The Electric Car Grant has helped over 190,000 drivers, with savings of up to £3,750 on a new EV.
- Two related consultations are open until 16 December 2026.
What Changes
Until now, many cross-pavement installations needed a planning application before work could start, adding cost and weeks of waiting. Removing that step through changes to permitted development rights makes the route quicker for households parking on the street outside their home. The same permitted development changes are also meant to make it quicker and cheaper for charge point operators to build larger, higher-powered public charging hubs.
Planning is only one hurdle. Residents still need agreement from the local highway authority for any work in the footway, and EVA England noted in the announcement that local authorities and landlords now need to make these solutions easier to access in practice. The government launched two consultations alongside the change: one on landlord and freeholder permissions for tenants and leaseholders, and one on amending Part S of the building regulations.
What It Means
For installers, cross-pavement work becomes a more realistic product for terraced streets, where demand has been held back by paperwork rather than by interest. The charger itself does not change: it still needs to meet UK wiring rules and the Smart Charge Points Regulations, and the cable route must be agreed with the council. Installers should confirm the local authority’s own approval process before quoting a timeline.
For distributors, the shift supports steady demand for compact single-phase wallboxes with smart scheduling, since on-street households will want to charge on cheap overnight tariffs. A Type 2 wallbox such as the EV-ACT3204E, which supports app control and RFID, fits this kind of home install; our residential charging solutions page lists other options.
Related Reading
- Can You Run an EV Charging Cable Across the Pavement? (UK)
- Can You Get a Home EV Charger Installed for Free in the UK?
- EV Charging News: UK Battery-Electric Share Hits Record 29.8% in August
