EV Charger on Your Driveway: Do You Need Planning Permission in 2026?

Updated 15/09/2026 · 4 min read

Since 29 May 2025, installing an EV charge point on your own driveway in England has become considerably simpler - a genuine change worth knowing about if you're planning a new driveway or adding a charger to an existing one.

The current rule

Homeowners with off-street parking in England can now install a domestic EV charge point under permitted development rights, without needing a planning application in most cases - a change from the previous rules, which required an application in some circumstances. This removed both the delay and the £258 application fee that used to apply.

The conditions that still apply

• A wall-mounted charger must not exceed 0.2 cubic metres in volume
• A free-standing pedestal charger must not exceed 2.3 metres in height
• If your property is listed, or in a conservation area, you should check with your local council before installing - the general permitted development right doesn't automatically apply

What's still required regardless

Permitted development covers planning permission specifically - it doesn't remove the need for Building Regulations compliance. Installation must still be carried out by a qualified electrician, comply with Building Regulations Part P (electrical safety), and typically be certified through a registered competent person scheme.

Planning the charger alongside a new driveway

If you're having a driveway laid and plan to add a charger at the same time or later, it's worth deciding on cable routing and charger position before the surface goes down - retrofitting ducting under a finished block paving or resin driveway is a considerably bigger job than including it during the original build.

What this means for a typical Essex or East London home

For most standard semi-detached and terraced properties with off-street parking, this means a charger can now be added to a driveway project with minimal extra admin - a genuine improvement over the process homeowners faced installing chargers just a couple of years ago.