Electric car charging at home with no driveway: rules, tips and cross-pavement options

Electric cars are practically everywhere nowadays, and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reckons almost one in five new cars sold by the end of 2024 could be powered by electricity.

While this is all well and good in environmental terms, the UK has a fundamental issue when it comes to the EV transition, because more than a third of UK homes don’t have a driveway, rising to almost two thirds in towns and cities. This raises the question: where on earth then will people charge their cars?

Of course, public-charging infrastructure does exist, but this is significantly more expensive than plugging in at home. Therefore, several cross-pavement charging solutions have been devised to ensure that those with on-street parking can still reap many of the benefits of switching to an EV.

In this article, we’ll explain all of the different options available to buyers, as well as the intricacies of the OZEV grant and the laws surrounding cable management. If you’re lucky enough to have a driveway, we also have a more general guide to EV charging, which explores the ins and outs of plugging in at home and away.

What are the cross-pavement charging rules?

In a world full of health and safety laws, you won’t be surprised to hear that there are several rules and restrictions surrounding cross-pavement charging. For starters, you cannot simply trail your cables across the pavement in order to plug your car in. Under Section 162 of The Highways Act 1980, it is forbidden to place rope or wires on a public highway unless one has taken all the necessary steps to mitigate danger and/or injury.

In some circumstances, those wishing to charge their car from across the pavement may also need to seek permission from the local council or authority. Some cross-pavement charging solutions involve modifying the pavement itself and thus require approval under Section 50 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. Many councils have dedicated pages covering this on their respective websites.

Finally, unless you have your very own driveway, it’s likely you’ll need planning permission to install either a wallbox or a ground-mounted charger; this also extends to those living in listed buildings. If you also need to upgrade your electricity infrastructure, you will need to gain approval from your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO).

What cross-pavement solutions are there?

There are several cross-pavement charging solutions available, depending on your situation and budget. At the most basic and cost-effective (think a few hundred pounds) end of the market are cable protectors from companies such as Edion. In effect these are plastic housings that can be placed on the pavement and are typically strong enough that someone can stand or walk over them without damaging the cable inside. These protectors usually don’t require council permission to install and comply with the aforementioned Highways Act 1980, because they are clearly marked by streaks of bright yellow. Their typically trapezoidal design also makes them much less of a trip hazard.

Next up are cable gullies from the likes of Kerbo Charge, Pavecross and Charge Gulley. Unlike cable protectors which sit on top of the pavement, gulleys require digging into the pavement to install a channel through which the cable can pass, whilst remaining flush with the pavement. As you can expect, gulleys are usually a lot more expensive to fit (budget around £1,000) and require permission from the council, although firms such as Kerbo Charge will typically do the liaising for you.

Then at the more elaborate end of the scale are cross-pavement arms, such as the ChargeArm or the ChargeBridge from Nodum – the latter of which is not on public sale yet. Rather than trail cables across the pavement, charging arms haul them over the pavement, thus reducing the amount of obstruction. Once again, you’ll need planning permission for one of these, as well as deep pockets, because something like a ChargeArm can cost one-and-a-half to two times the price of the equivalent cable gully.

Am I eligible for the OZEV grant?

To reduce the cost somewhat of cross-pavement charging, the government’s Office of Zero Emissions Vehicles currently offers the ‘Electric vehicle chargepoint and infrastructure’ grant. This provides £350 towards the purchase and installation of an EV charger/cross-pavement charging solution, with a few caveats.

First and foremost, the only people eligible are those living in a flat, or with dedicated on-street parking or those living in rented accommodation. The previous chargepoint grant for those living in a house with a driveway has now been discontinued.

To qualify, you must also seek permission from the local council to install whatever it is you’re looking to put in place. You must, as you’d expect, also be the registered keeper of an EV or plug-in hybrid vehicle and/or have at least six months left on your lease.

On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme

The On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme was offered until 2024 and was designed to help local councils install charging points in residential areas to encourage the transition to electric vehicles. 

These charge points are typically located discreetly in lamp-posts, kerbside pillars or even old street cabinets. You’ll typically need to bring your own cable to use these charge points, and the charging speeds will vary depending on the area. But they remain a great option if you can’t afford and/or don’t have the means to install a cross-pavement solution.

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