Changes designed to make it easier to install EV chargers have been welcomed by Logistics UK.
However, the industry body said work still needed to be carried out to upgrade the UK electricity grid.
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood announced last week that more drivers and businesses would no longer need to submit a planning application to install public or private EV sockets.
The changes broaden previous permitted development rights enabling chargepoints to be installed without planning permission.
Amendments include: removing the limitation that off-street outlets and upstands for chargers could not be installed within two metres of a highway; allowing off-street electrical upstands up to a height of 2.7 metres where not within the curtilage of a house or block of flats; and allowing equipment to be installed within the ground level of a non-domestic area used for off-street parking.
Reacting to the changes, Logistics UK senior policy manager Stephanie Haszczyn said: “The government’s announcement, that businesses will no longer require planning consent to install EV chargepoints, is a welcome, pragmatic step forwards for the logistics sector as the industry looks to decarbonise.
“This decision will remove barriers for our member businesses which are investing in the vital infrastructure needed to decarbonise, and reduce unnecessary delays and costs.
“Our industry is committed to decarbonising and is already making significant strides in transitioning away from fossil fuels. As an industry that underpins the entire UK economy we want to see regulation that supports the net-zero transition for logistics, not slow it down.
“However, planning reform is not enough. Challenges remain as there is still an urgent need to upgrade the electricity grid and provide sufficient power to logistics businesses, many of which are situated away from city centre locations. This upgrade will be vital to ensure these organisations have access to the power they need both now and in the future: without it, there is real risk that the sector will be unable to meet decarbonisation targets, despite the investment and will to do so.”
