Labour urges motorists to replace petrol and diesel cars with electric vehicles through new proposals

Labour has moved to declare new policies to cut down the red tape and easing the access of drivers of well-sought cars to home chargers.

The shift will result in the electric car owners, especially those who do not have their own driveways, gaining access to affordable home charging, in an effort to drive the transition toward electric cars.

Under the plans, the Department for Transport and the Office of Zero Emission Vehicles would consult on modifications that would enable no full planning permission to be made of the discrete pavement charging gullies which enable the crossing of cables along pavements safely between a home and a parked car.

The changes would more specifically affect the renters and leaseholders who would be provided with less complicated methods of installing charging points in their residences. 

The Government said the reforms would help residents to save as much as £250 in application costs and also make home charging accessible to thousands of additional households.

According to an announcement made by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, the reforms were included in the general Government effort to make the electrics switch more fair, easy and cheaper to all people.

She said: “Wherever you park your car, we’re making it fairer, easier, and cheaper to make the switch to electric.

“These reforms will boost infrastructure, increase charge points across the country and open up affordable home charging to thousands more households.”

She included the move as she believes it will be good news to drivers and a big boost to the British EV industry, cutting costs and creating jobs to bring our Plan for Change.

The officials also announced they are also going to streamline the procedure of installing cross -pavement chargers to enable the development of the EV network in the UK.

A formal package consultation will also be initiated soon and the drivers called upon to provide their comments. This red tape elimination comes at a very timely moment when the UK seeks to proceed with its Zero Emission Vehicle requirement.

Vicky Edmonds, Chief Executive Officer of EVA England, said: ” This is a hugely welcome move from the Government on one of the biggest issues facing drivers today. Our recent survey shows access to affordable home charging is a top priority for EV drivers and those considering making the switch.

“Cutting red tape so renters and those without driveways can charge at home is exactly the kind of common-sense reform drivers have been crying out for. It’s a big step towards fairer, cheaper and more accessible charging for everyone.”

There are more than 86,000 operational public chargers in the UK and the demand on EVs is still rising.