23 October 2025
The Government has promised new action to tackle the UK’s growing ‘charging divide’ – that prevents many EV owners without off-street parking being able to charge their vehicles up at home – following a debate in the House of Lords on Wednesday, in which Baroness Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson, following support from EVA England and its partners New Automotive, the REA and Kerbocharge, pressed ministers to make charging an electric vehicle fairer and more affordable for households without driveways.
Baroness Pidgeon’s set of two amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill sought to remove barriers preventing the estimated 40% of UK households without off-street parking from accessing affordable home charging, by helping them access cross-pavement solutions
Currently, these households must rely on public charge points, which can cost up to ten times more than charging at home, creating an effective two-tier system that risks locking millions of drivers out of the transition to electric vehicles (EVs).
As a direct result of Baroness Pidgeon’s efforts, the Government today made two major concessions:
Speaking in the Lords, Baroness Pidgeon said:
“Up to 40% of UK households do not have access to off-street parking. They therefore rely on public charge points, which can cost up to 10 times more than charging at home.”
“This amendment would help to democratise access to electric vehicles and reduce inequalities.”
She also highlighted that installing simple cross-pavement charging channels, which allow a home charger cable to run safely under the pavement, can cost the resident around £3,000 and take over a year for approval.
“We need to make it as simple and easy to access in the rest of the country as it now is in Northern Ireland,” she added, noting that residents there can already apply online for these channels, reducing typical charging costs from £25 at a public charge point to just £3 at home.
Responding on behalf of the Government, Minister Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill said:
“The Government have listened to the concerns raised by noble Lords on this matter and further support the aim that the noble Baroness intends with this amendment.”
Responding to the Government’s new commitments, Baroness Pidgeon said:
“Finding ways to make it easier for people who do not have driveways to move to electric vehicles is so important for our green transition. I welcome the Minister’s commitment to consult on permitted developments, followed by secondary legislation as soon as possible, and to write to all local authorities to speed up cross-pavement installations.”
Commenting on the new Government commitments, Vicky Edmonds, CEO of EVA England, said:
“Drivers without access to private driveways should not be barred from going electric. Yet in reality this is what is happening. Evidence shows that drivers relying solely on the public network are finding EVs much more expensive and are less likely to make the switch.
“EVA England welcomes the progress made on this important issue, and we thank Baroness Pidgeon for her dedicated efforts. These steps are a positive move towards making EV ownership fairer for all.”
At EVA England, we’re working to make sure every driver, no matter where they live, can access affordable and reliable charging.
If you would like to support our work and help strengthen our advocacy for fair and accessible charging, you can get involved by becoming a member, a supporting partner or donating directly to EVA England.
Every member and contribution helps us make sure EV drivers’ voices are heard in Parliament. Together, we can close the charging divide and make the switch to electric work for everyone.