How to charge an electric car with no driveway

• New solution for on-street parking and charging at home being trialled by several councils across the UK
• New through-pavement channel for charging cable allows EV owners without a drive to charge at home
• Cheaper off-peak domestic tariffs could save EV owners an average of £1,140 per year compared to using public charge points
• ZapMap says average cost of charging an EV at home is £680/year and £1,280 using public charge points
• EV chargepoint grant available for renters and flat owners towards installation costs

Several councils across the UK are trialling a new through-pavement channel for charging cables so residents with on-street parking can charge an electric vehicle (EV) at home on cheaper domestic tariffs. This could save EV owners an average of £1,140 per year compared to using public charging stations, and nearly £800 per year compared to the average fuel bills for a petrol car.

The special through-pavement channels stop EV charging cables being left on the pavement’s surface while it is plugged into the car and becoming a trip hazard. This solution could make owning an electric car more viable for the estimated 40% of UK households without a driveway to use to charge an EV.

Charging an EV at home on off-peak domestic electricity tariffs (with VAT charged at only 5%) is noticeably cheaper than using a public charger (with VAT rates of 20%). Read our guide to smart EV charging and how to charge an electric car at home and on the road.

Zap Map, the eMobility app monitoring charge points across the UK, says the average cost of charging an EV at home is £680 a year, compared to £1,820 for those using only public chargers. Comparing this with the average annual cost of £1,470 for petrol car owners shows how using an EV can be more cost effective if there is the option to charge at home. Read our guide to how much it costs to charge an electric car.

The in-pavement channel from Kerbo Charge fits completely flush with the pavement. It is made of thermoplasltic which has a lower carbon footprint than metal alternatives and won’t become a target for metal thieves. To use it, the EV owner inserts the charging cable into the channel and then removes it again after the car is charged. A self-closing lid creates a flat surface on the pavement at all times.

Hartlepool council is the latest local authority to trial the in-pavement option. Kieran Bostock, Hartlepool Borough Council’s Assistant Director – Neighbourhood Services, said: “This trial aims to make it easier and less expensive for residents who don’t have off-street parking to charge electric vehicles (EVs). Anything which encourages the take-up of EVs is to be welcomed, and this initiative reflects the Council’s commitment to tackle climate change by reducing its impact on the environment whilst also supporting local communities to cut their emissions.”

Hartlepool resident, and EV owner, James Pratt who paid for the installation of a charging channel in the pavement outside his house, said: “I don’t have to think about charging anymore. Yes, you can’t guarantee a parking space in front of your home 100% of the time, but without this option, I can’t charge at home at all! In reality, I only need to top-up my EV once or twice a week, so it works out perfectly.”

Another council to offer this solution for EV owners is Stirling in Scotland. Stirling resident, Stephen Gordon commented: “I’m really happy with this solution. You definitely don’t notice it on the pavement.”

The cost of installing the in-pavement channel is approximately £999 including obtaining any council approvals) which is usually paid for by the resident. Kerbo Charge estimates this installation pays for itself within nine months compared to the cost of public charging. The government’s electric vehicle charge point grant of up to £350 can help towards the cost of installing a chargepoint socket if you lived in a rented property or own and live in a flat. 

Carwow recently polled over 1,000 motorists to ask what they’d like to help motorists make the switch to EVs, and top of their wishlist was more charging points. The through-pavement solution could rapidly make charging at home and EV ownership a viable option for motorists with on-street parking. 

Read our guide to electric cars and how they work or watch what one of the Carwow range tests driving the latest electric cars until the charge on their batteries gets to 0%:

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