- Oxfordshire County Council is beginning its own pilot project for cross-pavement EV charging, in an effort to make electric vehicles more accessible for those without access to off-street parking.
- The trial will allow more EV drivers to reduce their reliance on the public charging network, opening up the possibility of running an EV on more affordable domestic electricity to more residents.
- It will initially benefit 500 residents who don’t have a driveway, with a possibility to make the scheme permanent in the longer term.
More cross-pavement charging trials on the way
The new trial exists thanks to a £700,000 government grant, though this exists separately to the significant £25 million cross-pavement charging package announced by the government over the weekend. It also comes just days after Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch Council announced the beginning of a similar pavement charging trial.
Under the new pilot, residents will pay a £300 fee covering a site survey, the installation of the charging cable channel, and a license to use the channel for two years. Whilst only initially open to 500 residents, the council notes that the scheme may continue, but then being fully-funded by residents outside of the original £700,000 grant.
Around 28% of households in Oxfordshire do not have access to off-street parking, denying them access to cheaper domestic electricity to charge EVs. This pilot scheme, particularly if it becomes a permanent solution, will make a big difference for encouraging EV adoption in the region.
Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, commented:
“A third of Oxfordshire householders don’t have off street parking, so we believe this could be a real game-changer and give residents the confidence to switch to an EV.
Being able to access home electricity rates and park in your usual spot are the sorts of things that are likely to make EV ownership a reality for many local people.
We are confident that the scheme will be enthusiastically received and that this opportunity – alongside the major programme of public EV charger installation that we are about to embark on – will mean EV ownership will really take off in Oxfordshire in the next few years.”
