Coming up
- Home charger grant funding due to end
The OZEV EV chargepoint grant for renters and flat owners is funded until this date.
- Temporary 0% VAT on home electricity due to end
Home electricity normally carries 5% VAT. Public charging stays at 20%.
- £100m fund to lower public charging costs
Announced by the government to start in 2027. Details to follow.
- Pay-per-mile eVED due to start
Electric Vehicle Excise Duty at 3p per mile for electric cars and 1.5p for plug-in hybrids, on top of standard vehicle tax, rising with inflation from 2029/30. The legislation has not yet been passed.
- End of new petrol and diesel car sales
New cars that run only on petrol or diesel can no longer be sold. The ZEV mandate target reaches 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans.
- All new cars and vans zero-emission
The ZEV mandate reaches 100%, ending new hybrid sales.
2026
- VAT on public charging stays at 20%
The Autumn Budget confirmed VAT on public charging will stay at 20%, against 5% normally on home electricity.
- Cross-pavement charging no longer needs planning permission
Drivers can install a cross-pavement cable channel without a planning application, which the government says saves up to £300. Council permission as highway authority is usually still needed.
- Home charger grant changes
The OZEV EV chargepoint grant for renters and flat owners with off-street parking covers 75% of the cost of one socket, up to £500.
2025
- Pay-per-mile tax announced
The Autumn Budget set out plans for eVED from April 2028.
- Roaming requirement phased in
The last major Public Charge Point Regulations requirement, two years after they came into force: operators must offer access through at least one third-party roaming provider.
- Electric Car Grant launched
Up to £3,750 off eligible new electric cars, applied by the dealer, with eligibility based on price and the manufacturer's sustainability rating.
- 2030 phase-out confirmed
The government confirmed the end of new petrol and diesel car sales in 2030, with hybrids allowed until 2035, and changed some ZEV mandate flexibilities.
- Electric cars start paying vehicle tax
Electric cars became liable for Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), including the expensive car supplement.
2023–2024
- Reliability and contactless rules take effect
One year after the regulations came in, each operator's rapid chargers had to average 99% reliability and existing rapid chargers had to take contactless payment.
- ZEV mandate begins
Manufacturers must make 22% of new car sales and 10% of new van sales zero-emission in 2024, rising each year.
- Public Charge Point Regulations come into force
Pricing in pence per kWh, contactless on new chargers of 8kW and above, a 24-hour helpline and open data, with further requirements phased in over two years. See your rights.
- Phase-out delayed to 2035
The then government moved the end of new petrol and diesel car sales from 2030 to 2035. This was later reversed.
2018–2022
- Home chargers must be smart
The Smart Charge Point Regulations require new home and workplace chargers sold in Great Britain to have smart functions, including off-peak default charging.
- Plug-in Car Grant closes
The grant towards new electric cars ended. A new car grant returned in 2025.
- Home charger grant ends for homeowners in houses
The scheme was refocused on renters and flat owners.
- EV infrastructure strategy published
"Taking charge" set out the government's expectation of around 300,000 public charge points by 2030 and launched the Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) fund for councils.
- 2030 phase-out announced
The Ten Point Plan set 2030 for the end of new petrol and diesel car sales, with hybrids allowed until 2035.
- Rapid Charging Fund
Funding committed to help pay for grid upgrades for rapid charging at motorway and major A-road service areas.
- Automated and Electric Vehicles Act
Gave the government powers to set standards for public charge points, later used for the 2023 regulations and smart charging rules.
Notes
Dates are for UK-wide or England policy unless stated. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run some of their own charging schemes. Policies change, so check OZEV on GOV.UK for the current position. For the latest changes, follow ZEV mandate and grants and funding news, and see the glossary for terms.