New measures announced to improve public EV charging.

As a result of our hard work with Charge UK, the UK Department for Transport has announced three measures that should make deploying public EV charging easier and faster with changes expected to take effect later this year.

These Measures include:

1. Grid Connections Review

There will be best practice guidelines for Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) outlining clear roles and responsibilities to improve the efficiency of grid connections. To ensure progress, a quarterly working group led by Ofgem will oversee the implementation of these actions by the DNOs.

2. Planning Reforms

Permitted Development Rights will be expanded to simplify the installation of EV charging infrastructure. This includes allowing taller equipment to be placed closer to roads and making it easier to install electrical housing. The changes aim to align more closely with Scotland’s approach, where planning permission is not required for new substations dedicated to EV charging.

3. Highway Works

Charge point operators (CPOs) will be included in the Streetworks permitting scheme so that only a permit rather than a license is needed to undertake street works. CPOs will also gain access to Street Manager, a tool that allows them to apply for permits and view other ongoing works, streamlining the process and improving coordination.

These measures are the result of months of collaboration with government officials and ministers as an active member of ChargeUK. Our Operations Director, Lewis Gardiner, played a leading role in explaining processes and proposing practical solutions involving third parties. We also contributed real case studies highlighting projects delayed by unnecessary procedures, which helped underscore the need for these changes.

By addressing critical administrative barriers, these changes will significantly reduce the time and resource required day to day and ease daily operations for Osprey’s team, while also simplifying processes for local planning departments, highway authorities, and DNOs.

However, it is important to note that certain parts of these measures will require primary legislation changes and, crucially, rely on the support and cooperation of these third party permitting organisations. It should also be pointed out that these announcements lack some of the specific details regarding implementation and enforcement.

So, there is still work to be done, but we are committed to supporting these measures fully. If successful, we anticipate seeing a positive impact on charge point deployment from late 2025.