Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has confirmed fresh measures to support drivers investing in electric vehicles through new home charging benefits.
Labour has outlined new guidance to make it easier for renters, flat-dwellers and households without a driveway to install electric car chargers.
The new measures also focus on other green initiatives, including installation help with solar panels and heat pumps to make electric transport cheaper.
Later this year, the Government will legislate to introduce permitted development rights to expand provisions for electric vehicle charging.
This will allow for cross-pavement charging solutions and associated charging points, which have become far more popular in recent months.
The charging solution involves digging a small gulley into the pavement, allowing the homeowner to feed the charging cable through without causing an impediment to pedestrians.
Responding to the announcement, Michael Goulden, CEO of Kerbo Charge, described the update as “exactly the kind of decisive action needed”.
He explained that Kerbo Charge has consistently called for the Government to cut red tape that holds back EV charging innovation.
Ed Miliband will oversee a range of new electric car charging solutions for homeowners and renters
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PA/KERBO CHARGE
“With home charging five to ten times cheaper than public alternatives, this opens the door to genuinely affordable EV ownership for the millions of drivers who’ve been locked out simply because they don’t have a driveway,” Mr Goulden said.
Labour announced that it will “imminently” launch a consultation on changes to building regulations, in addition to the introduction of an “Ability to Charge”.
It said this would increase EV charging provision for new buildings and those undergoing major renovations.
This will give renters and leaseholders greater access to charging by making it easier for people to request and install charge points.
Cross-pavement charging solutions have become more common in recent years
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KERBO CHARGEEnergy Secretary Ed Miliband said the era of “fossil fuel security” was over, referencing the soaring price of fuel following the conflict in the Middle East.
He added: “That’s why we’re doubling down on clean power, to give our country energy security and bring down bills for good.”
Gurjeet Grewal, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, noted that fuel prices had caused a spike in interest for electric vehicles.
Despite this, planning permission and other regulations were preventing millions of renters from investing in an EV without access to cheap home charging.
Kerbo Charge recently partnered with Vauxhall as part of its Electric Streets of Britain campaign
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VAUXHALLHe said: “This is another clear sign from the Government on the direction of travel for UK drivers. Switch to electric, charge at home and protect yourself from price rises at the petrol pumps.”
Similarly, Vicky Edmonds, CEO of EVA England, said the announcement was a “clear step forward” in helping to break down barriers for those looking to ditch petrol and diesel vehicles.
“In particular, plans to introduce permitted development rights for EV charging and cross-pavement solutions are a major breakthrough for the millions without driveways who currently face a two-tier system of higher costs and fewer options,” she stated.
John Lewis, CEO of char.gy, said: “Today’s commitment to streamline planning and grid connection rules, unlock clean power across the public estate, and make charging easier for renters and flat-dwellers all point in the same direction: a future where nobody is left behind in the switch to electric simply because of where they live.”