Kirklees Plans EV Charging Trial for Residents Without Driveways

Residents Without Driveways Could Get New EV Charging Option in Kirklees

Kirklees Considers EV Charging Channels for Residents Without Driveways Kirklees Council is set to discuss a trial that could help residents without driveways or off-street parking charge electric vehicles safely from their homes. The proposed 12-month trial would introduce cross-pavement charging channels, allowing EV charging cables to run beneath the pavement rather than creating potential trip hazards across footways. Proposed EV charging trial Kirklees Council's cabinet is due to discuss the proposal on 6 October, with residents required to apply to the council if the trial is approved. Applications would be assessed against eligibility and suitability criteria before permission is granted. The scheme is aimed at households that currently have limited options for charging an electric vehicle at home because they do not have private off-street parking. Cross-pavement charging channels are shallow gullies installed into the pavement, allowing charging cables to pass safely beneath the surface. Funding could reduce installation costs The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has secured £1.5 million from the Department for Transport to support the installation of EV pavement channels across West Yorkshire. Kirklees Council expects to receive up to £330,000 from the funding, which would subsidise installation costs and reduce the amount residents would need to pay. The council says residents without off-street parking can currently rely on commercial charging points, which can be more expensive than charging at home. Councillor John Hardie, Kirklees Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Transport and Highways, said the trial would provide a safe and practical charging option for people without access to off-street parking. Trial will test future approach The 12-month trial would allow the council to assess demand, affordability, convenience and potential risks associated with cross-pavement charging channels. The findings would then be used to help develop a standardised approach to domestic EV charging and inform any potential longer-term rollout across Kirklees. Kirklees Council plans to work with Kerbo Charge Ltd, which already operates in Leeds and Bradford, to design, install and manage the channels on the council's behalf. For residents who park on the street, the proposal could provide a new way to charge an EV at home without running a cable across the pavement. However, the scheme remains subject to the cabinet discussion and the council's application and assessment process.