London guidance for cross-pavement charging solutions

Following the government’s announcement of cross-pavement electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. London Council has published new guidance to support boroughs’ rollout of this, which will let residents without off-street parking to safety charge EVs at home using their own electricity supply.

Local authorities have been awarded £25 million to install cross-patent EV charging solutions, which will include gulleys in the pavement to thread cables through, meaning EVs can be charged outside the home without tripping residents.

London is the UK’s leader in EV uptake, with the 193,000 plug-in cars and vans expected to rise further to 1.4 million by 2030. Although 90 per cent of EV users prefer the cost savings and convenience of home charging, 61 per cent of Londoners do not have access to off-sgtreetin parking, which creates a major challenge to switching to EVs.

People have been taking matters into their own hands by charging their cars outside of their homes on the kerbside, which creates trip hazards and accessibility risks, especially for older residents and those with mobility or visual impairments.

Cross-pavement charging solutions can offer a practical fix. Using either a surface ‘gully’ or a system buried under the pavement, they allow charging cables from a home chargepoint to safely cross the pavement to an EV parked on the street.

These installations are quick—typically completed within 1.5 to three hours— and blend into existing street materials to maintain safe pedestrian access. Installation costs currently range from £1,000 to £1,5000.

Enfield Council have successfully trialled a cross-pavement charging channel with Kerbo Charge in 2024, which will allow residents to change using cheaper home energy tariffs.

Bromley Council, likewise, has rolled a scheme using the Gul-e solution which will allow eligible residents can install a flush-mounted gully outside their homes, enabling safer, more affordable EV charging.

Mayor Brenda Dacres, London Councils’ executive member for transport and environment, said: ‘We’re serious about tackling air pollution and cutting carbon emissions in London. That’s why it’s crucial to make switching to electric vehicles an option for more Londoners—especially those without driveways. Cross-pavement charging is a simple but powerful innovation that can help open up affordable home charging to thousands of residents. Just as importantly, it helps reduce trip hazards caused by loose charging cables, keeping our pavements safe and accessible for all.

“By supporting boroughs to rollout these solutions safely and fairly, we’re removing one more barrier to cleaner transport and making real progress toward a greener, healthier capital.”