Millions of UK households—about 9.3 million in Great Britain, or 8 million in England alone—don’t have off‑street parking like a driveway or garage. That creates a big barrier to adopting electric vehicles (EVs), since trailing cables across pavements isn’t safe, legal, or convenient.
On July 12, 2025, the Department for Transport announced a targeted investment: £25 million earmarked to help local authorities install “cross‑pavement technology”—narrow cable channels (also known as gullies) embedded beneath pavements—to allow safe, neat charging from your home‘s electricity supply.
Why This Fund Matters
- Safer, legal home charging
Before, many EV owners without driveways resorted to placing cables across footpaths—a safety hazard and potential legal issue. These channels include sturdy covers to eliminate trip hazards and secure the cable in place. - A cheaper way to charge
Public rapid chargers can cost up to 5–10× more per kWh compared with domestic rates. Charging at home could save over £1,000 per year. The new system gives on‑street parkers equal access to those savings. - Speeding up EV adoption
Convenience and cost are the biggest hurdles to switching EVs. This move offers a fairer, easier route for on‑street households, helping expand EV uptake beyond privileged off‑street areas. - Low‑impact and quick roll‑out
Compared to installing kerbside chargers, gullies are cheaper—typically a few hundred pounds for the channel, around £1,000 including labour. They blend into pavements better, avoid extra street clutter, and can be installed quickly.
What Councils Will Do
Local authorities are now empowered—and funded—to:
- Apply the new government guidance to develop policies that permit and manage gully installations.
- Work with suppliers like Kerbo Charge, Charge Gully, and Gul‑e/ODS, who already have solutions deployed in over 30 local authorities.
- Balance permissions, licenses, and maintenance responsibilities under the New Roads and Street Works Act.
- Monitor safety, usability, and parking rights—especially if multiple gullies appear on one street.
Real‑World Examples
- Enfield Council piloted the Kerbo Charge channel, installing secure gullies in neighbourhoods where 60% of households lack off‑street parking. Residents say it gave them the confidence to switch to EVs, cutting charging costs by nearly £20 per full charge compared to the cheapest public options.
- Charge Gully rolled out over 60 lockable units in four local authorities, featuring self‑closing mechanisms and keys to prevent tampering—great for shared streets.
- Gul‑e/ODS is working with councils like Oxfordshire and Suffolk, using narrow, safe channels that avoid adding street clutter or damaging pavement aesthetics.
What That Means for Residents
| Benefit | How It Helps You |
|---|---|
| Home charging access | Soon you may be able to plug in your EV outside your home—no more dodgy cables across pavements. |
| Lower costs | Domestic 5% VAT vs. up to 20% at public points saves significant money. |
| Boosted confidence | Knowing streets are cable‑safe makes the idea of an EV more realistic. |
| Fast setup | Quick installations mean benefits sooner. |
| Fairness | You gain access to the same ease as off‑street parkers. |
Next Steps & Timeline
- Councils across England are updating their EV infrastructure strategies to use this funding. Many have already begun trials.
- Suppliers like Kerbo, Charge Gully, and Gul‑e are scaling installations, with thousands more households chasing waiting lists.
- Insurance and maintenance policies are being formalised to ensure long‑term safety.
- Grant support: Householders may qualify for up to £350 grants for on‑street installations via the LEVI fund.
The Road Ahead
This £25 million boost marks a significant shift—moving EV access beyond the suburban driveway model. It makes street-level panels inclusive, affordable, and safe. For millions, it means knowing you can leave your car outside your home, plug it in, and wake up to a full battery without fuss or cost‑gouging.
It isn’t just infrastructure—it’s a vote of confidence that every EV journey should begin and end at your doorstep, not a public forecourt.
In short: cross‑pavement gullies funded by this £25 million package help level the EV playing field, reduce costs, encourage uptake, and connect communities—making the transition to electric fairer and faster for everyone.