New government regulations in England have taken effect, removing the need for planning permission to install electric vehicle (EV) charging cable channels across public pavements. The policy is designed to assist EV owners who lack private driveways, potentially allowing them to access cheaper home-charging rates rather than relying on more expensive public charging networks.

For many drivers, the current cost of public charging remains a significant barrier to EV adoption. Proponents of the change argue that by allowing residents to run cables through protected channels in the pavement, the cost of "refueling" an EV could drop significantly—in some cases to as little as £6 per charge. This shift is intended to make electric vehicle ownership more accessible to those living in terraced housing or urban areas without garages.

However, the change in law does not guarantee that every driver will be able to install these channels. Local councils retain authority over public infrastructure, and many residents may still face logistical or safety-related denials. While the regulation removes the national planning hurdle, it does not mandate that councils approve individual requests, leaving the actual availability of these charging solutions dependent on local policy and pavement suitability.