Driveway EV chargers in England: the new rules explained

If you’ve got a driveway in Shropshire or Mid Wales and you’re weighing up an electric car, there’s a quiet but important change you should know about.

England has relaxed the planning rules for home chargepoints.

In plain terms, it’s now easier to fit a compact wall box on a driveway without a planning application.

Wales has different rules for now, which matters on our border. Below, we translate the details into simple steps, with local pointers and a practical checklist.

The quick answer

What changed?

From 29 May 2025, England updated its planning rules so most small, wall‑mounted or freestanding home chargepoints on driveways are permitted development. The old blocker about being within two metres of the highway has been removed. In many cases you no longer need to apply for planning permission if you follow the size and placement limits. Legislation.gov.uk

Who does this affect?

Homeowners in England with a driveway or other off‑street parking. If you live in Wales, the two‑metre‑from‑the‑highway restriction still applies at the time of writing, so you may still need permission in some cases.

What to do now

• Check you meet the simple planning limits below.

• Choose a smart unit that complies with UK smart‑charging rules. GOV.UK

• Use an OZEV‑authorised installer who will assess your electrics and notify the local network if required.

What the rule actually says

In England

The change amends the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order so that a standard domestic chargepoint on a driveway is usually permitted development if you meet basic limits on size and position and you are not in a sensitive location such as the curtilage of a listed building or a scheduled monument. The specific two‑metre “near a highway” barrier has been removed. Legislation.gov.uk

Key points in plain English:

• Typical wall box size must be modest. Wall‑mounted units are capped at 0.2 m³.

• A freestanding “upstand” has a height limit. It is 1.6 m when within the curtilage of a dwelling or block of flats, and 2.7 m outside the curtilage.

• Sensitive sites still need care. Works within the curtilage of a listed building or on a scheduled monument are not permitted development.

• If you later remove the unit, the general condition is to make good the wall or ground.

What counts as a “driveway”?

In practice, any off‑street parking area within your property boundary, often called an “area lawfully used for off‑street parking.” If you share access or parking with neighbours, agree the location and cable routes in writing.

England vs Wales: key differences

• England: Most small domestic units on a driveway are now permitted development if you meet the limits, with no “two metres from highway” restriction. Legislation.gov.uk

• Wales: As of 31 August 2025, development is not permitted if the outlet faces onto and is within two metres of a highway. So front‑wall installs close to the footway may still need planning permission. Always check with your local planning authority before you book installation.

If you live near the border, double‑check which side you fall on and which council handles your application.

Key definitions and common misunderstandings

Smart charger
A device that can schedule charging away from peak times, apply a brief randomised delay at start‑up, and meet security requirements. All private chargers sold in Great Britain must comply with the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations. You can override schedules when you need a full charge. GOV.UK

Part S (Building Regulations)
Applies to new builds and certain major works, setting out requirements for providing chargepoint infrastructure. It doesn’t force existing homes to retrofit a charger. GOV.UK

Permitted development
Routine works that don’t need a planning application if you meet the stated limits. If in doubt, ask your council for a Lawful Development Certificate as proof. Planning Portal+1

Off‑peak scheduling
Most installers will help you set simple schedules to use cheaper overnight tariffs. You can still charge whenever you wish. Smart functionality is now a legal requirement for newly sold private chargepoints. GOV.UK

What it means for everyday drivers in Shropshire and Mid Wales

Local angle

• Rural homes around Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Newtown and Welshpool often have driveways and decent fuse capacity, so a standard 7 kW single‑phase installation is the norm. 22 kW three‑phase is possible, but rare in typical houses. Which?

• In tight terraces near main roads, space is limited. In England, the two‑metre rule no longer blocks you if your wall box sits within your boundary. In Wales, the two‑metre rule still matters, so check early.

• Power networks locally are run mainly by National Grid Electricity Distribution in Shropshire, and SP Energy Networks in North Shropshire and North Wales. Your installer will identify your Distribution Network Operator and handle any notifications. National GridSPEnergyNetworks

Practical implications

• Planning basics: In England, many driveway installs won’t need a planning application if you meet size and location limits. In Wales, ask the council early if you’re close to the footway.

• Safe installation: A qualified electrician should check your main fuse, earthing and consumer unit, and fit suitable RCD/RCBO protection in line with BS 7671 and the IET Code of Practice. IET Electrical Excellence

• DNO notifications: Installers either “connect and notify” after the job or “apply to connect” first if upgrades are needed, using the Energy Networks Association process. GOV.UKEnergy Networks Australia

• Cables and pavements: Avoid trailing cables across public footways. If you only have on‑street parking, look into cross‑pavement solutions or council options rather than running a loose cable, which can create a Highways Act problem. GOV.UKLegislation.gov.uk

• Costs and support: Grants come and go. Today there are government grants for renters and flat owners, for landlords, and a dedicated grant for households with on‑street parking when installing a cross‑pavement solution. Always check the latest details before you commit. GOV.UK+1Find a Grant

If you own or plan to buy an EV or PHEV

Choosing an EV home charger

Keep it simple and focus on safety and ease of use.

• Power ratings: Most homes choose 7 kW single‑phase. 22 kW needs three‑phase supply and is uncommon in typical domestic properties. Which?

• Tethered vs untethered: Tethered is quicker to use, untethered looks tidier.

• Smart features: App control, charge scheduling, adjustable charge rates, and solar matching if you’ve got panels. Your charger must comply with the smart‑charging regulations. GOV.UK

• Safety standards: Ask your installer about BS 7671 compliance, fault protection, earthing arrangements and where the isolator will sit. The IET Code of Practice is the go‑to. IET Electrical Excellence

Costs, grants and running costs

• Hardware and fitting vary by brand and fuseboard condition. A consumer unit upgrade can add cost but keeps you safe.

• Government grants are available for renters/flat owners, for landlords, and for households with on‑street parking using a cross‑pavement solution. Check the live GOV.UK guidance to see who qualifies and how much is available. GOV.UKFind a GrantFind a Grant

• Running costs depend on your tariff. Off‑peak schedules usually save money. Many local households now use time‑of‑use tariffs for cheap overnight top‑ups. GOV.UK

Disclaimer: This is general guidance, not legal or electrical advice. Always follow your installer’s and council’s instructions.

Installation checklist with your installer

• Location: Mount where the cable easily reaches your usual parking spot. Avoid blocking gates or footpaths.

• Protection: Confirm RCD/RCBO type, rating and test button. IET Electrical Excellence

• Earthing: Ask how earthing will be managed, especially on older properties. GOV.UK

• Weatherproofing: Ensure IP‑rated enclosure and tidy cable management.

• DNO notification: Confirm whether it is “connect and notify” or “apply to connect” and who is doing it. GOV.UK

• Smart setup: Set a simple off‑peak schedule and enable security features in the app. GOV.UK

• Handover: Get your electrical installation certificate and a brief demo. GOV.UK

Step‑by‑step checklist

Do this now

• Confirm whether you are in England or Wales for planning purposes.

• Take two photos of your driveway and fuseboard to share with installers.

• Shortlist two or three OZEV‑authorised installers for quotes. GOV.UK

Before you buy or install

• In England, check you meet the permitted development size and location limits. In Wales, check the two‑metre rule and ask about permission if needed.

• Pick a smart unit that complies with UK regulations. GOV.UK

• Ask your installer about DNO notification and any upgrade costs. GOV.UK

Avoid these mistakes

• Running a loose cable over a public pavement. It risks Highways Act enforcement and trip hazards. Legislation.gov.uk

• Mounting too far from your parking spot, which leads to trip hazards.

• Skipping the smart setup, then paying more than you need for energy. GOV.UK

FAQs

Do I still need planning permission for a driveway charger in England?
Often no, if you meet the size and location limits. The two‑metre highway rule has been removed. Sensitive sites can still need permission.

What about Wales?
Wales still restricts outlets that face onto and are within two metres of a highway, so check with your council if you’re close to the footway.

What is a smart charger and do I need one?
Yes. Private home units sold in Great Britain must be smart. They schedule charging away from peaks and include a short randomised delay when starting, with security features. GOV.UK

Can I plug into a 3‑pin socket instead?
It’s for occasional use only. A dedicated circuit and unit is safer and faster for daily charging, and installation will usually be notifiable under Building Regulations Part P if a new circuit is created. Planning Portal

Will my installer tell the electricity network?
Yes. They handle DNO notifications or apply in advance if your supply needs an upgrade, using the ENA process. GOV.UK

Are grants available for houses with driveways?
Grant support changes. As of today there are grants for renters and flat owners, and for specific on‑street cross‑pavement solutions. Check the latest GOV.UK guidance before you order. GOV.UKFind a Grant

Next steps with JT Hughes

Thinking about an electric or plug‑in hybrid? Book a test drive with JT Hughes and we’ll talk you through home‑charging readiness, from choosing the right car to picking a compliant unit and finding a trusted installer. Prefer a chat first? Give us a call or send an enquiry and we’ll share straightforward, local advice for Shropshire and Mid Wales.

Good to know

• England’s change took effect on 29 May 2025 and aims to make home charging simpler for ordinary households. Legislation.gov.uk

• If anything here feels borderline, ask your council for a Lawful Development Certificate or speak to your installer. It removes doubt and helps with future home sales. Planning Portal

Conclusion

England’s rules changed on 29 May 2025, making most small driveway chargepoints permitted development if you meet the limits. Wales still applies the two‑metre rule by the highway, so border addresses should check early. The simple path is this: confirm the limits, choose a smart‑compliant unit, and use a qualified installer who will handle network notifications. If you want help sense‑checking your setup, talk to us. Then book a test drive and we’ll walk you through the right charger for your home.