UK Government announced sweeping changes to public charge point installation rules, cutting costs from £1,000 to as little as £45 while slashing approval times from months to days.
The changes target what officials call “red tape” that’s slowed EV infrastructure rollout across Britain. Installation costs could drop by more than 95% under the new system.
Approval waiting times will shrink from several months to just a few days.
The government achieved these reductions through amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and Traffic Management Permit Scheme Regulations 2007. The changes eliminate lengthy section 50 licence applications – a major bottleneck for charge point operators.
Instead, operators will use Street Manager, a digital applications system already familiar to highway authorities and utility companies across England.
Street Manager streamlines bureaucracy by putting the entire process online. Highway authorities and utility companies have used the platform for years, making the transition smoother for charge point operators.
Industry Response
Jarrod Birch, head of policy and public affairs at Charge UK, welcomed the announcement. Charge UK lobbies for faster public charging infrastructure development.
“Streamlining the process for charge point operators to apply for street works is a very positive move. ChargeUK has been calling since its inception for the Government to cut this red tape. It will help speed up the deployment of the hundred thousand on-street local charge points we are expecting to install in the next two to three years.”
But Birch said more work remains ahead.
“However, there remains a lot more for the Government to do if it wants to fully back the businesses at the heart of the EV revolution. Addressing the full cost burden for charge point operators, which is largely driven by energy and standing charges, is critical.”
He outlined three key priorities for the charging industry:
- Tackling surging standing charges
- Equalising VAT with home charging rates
- Committing to stable policy through a robust ZEV mandate
Broader EV Push
The announcement continues Sir Keir Starmer’s government push toward electric vehicle adoption. Earlier initiatives include the Electric Car Grant and £600 million allocated to expand the UK’s 118,000-strong public charging network.
The government launched a pro-EV campaign centered around financial savings earlier this year.
EV interest has surged since the Iran War began. AutoTrader data shows interest in new electric vehicles jumped 28%, while used EV interest rose 15%.
Rising fuel costs from the conflict are driving much of that increased appetite for electric alternatives.
The changes take effect immediately, with charge point operators able to access Street Manager for new installations right away.
