London Councils report gives practical guidance on cross-pavement EV charging

London Councils has published guidance to support the roll out of cross-pavement electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. The report is released on the back of the government's recent announcement that it is to provide £25m in funding for local authorities to install cross-pavement EV charging solutions across the country.

Cross-pavement electric charging allows EV drivers without driveways to benefit from cheaper charging rates available at home, compared to privately operated public chargers. The disparity in costs between charging electric vehicles at home and public charge points is considered a major factor limiting the uptake of electric vehicles among those who do not currently have access to home chargers.

London Councils says that although London is the UK’s leader in EV uptake, 61% of Londoners do not have access to off-street parking— creating a major barrier to EV uptake in the capital. This growing gap has led to a rise in trailing charging cables across pavements, creating trip hazards and accessibility risks, especially for older residents and those with mobility or visual impairments.

Cross-pavement charging solutions can offer a practical and safe fix. Using either a surface gully or a system buried under the pavement, they allow charging cables from a home charge point to safely cross the pavement to an EV parked on the street. Typically installations can be completed within 1.5 to 3 hours and cost in the range £1,000 to £1,500.

However cross-pavement solutions require approval from the local authority and may not be suitable for every household. Many London boroughs are actively preparing to trial these technologies as they assess their potential for wider rollout. This report aims to support boroughs’ decision-making and policy development by setting out the various options available and the opportunities and challenges they present.

London Councils maintains that decisions around the installations should ultimately rest with the local authority. Boroughs, it says, are best placed to decide their individual policies in relation to this, taking into account their specific local circumstances and the various benefits and challenges.

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.”

Separately London Councils is lobbying for policy changes that reduce the cost of public charging points such as VAT equalisation.