Labour Urged to Tackle EV Charging Barrier for Driveway-Less Households
The Labour Party is facing mounting pressure to intervene and cut through bureaucratic red tape that is preventing a significant portion of UK households from accessing affordable electric vehicle charging. New evidence submitted to a government consultation highlights a critical issue: drivers without private driveways are being systematically excluded from the EV revolution due to a combination of excessive costs, administrative confusion, and protracted local authority delays.
Survey Reveals Overwhelming Unmet Demand
A comprehensive driver survey conducted by EVA England, focusing specifically on cross-pavement charging solutions, paints a stark picture of unmet need. The data shows that for drivers who park on the street, more than nine in ten (93%) currently lack any form of cross-pavement charging infrastructure. Despite this, a compelling 78% of those same drivers believe a suitable solution could realistically be implemented for their home, indicating a strong latent demand for accessible technology.
Systemic Barriers and Council Inaction
Despite the clear appetite, the system appears to be failing these households. The survey found that only eight drivers had successfully navigated the process to install a cross-pavement solution. Numerous respondents reported repeated refusals from their local councils, experiencing months or even years of radio silence after submitting applications. A major deterrent cited was the additional planning costs, which in some instances added approximately £500 per household on top of installation fees that can approach £3,000.
Drivers expressed significant frustration at being told that formal cross-pavement solutions were deemed unsafe, while simultaneously observing a tacit acceptance of the common practice of trailing charging cables across pavements using protective mats. Many argued this informal method presents a far greater tripping hazard to pedestrians than a properly installed, dedicated system.
Transformative Benefits Where Solutions Are Installed
In the rare cases where cross-pavement charging has been successfully installed, feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Users describe the systems as safer, remarkably easy to use, and truly transformational. The primary benefit cited is a dramatic reduction in charging costs, making EV ownership far more economical and removing a key financial barrier to making the switch from petrol or diesel vehicles.
Calls for Government Action
Vicky Edmonds, CEO of EVA England, emphasised the urgency of the situation. “Drivers are telling us the same thing again and again: the technology exists, the demand is there, but the system is getting in the way,” she stated. “Cross-pavement charging could unlock affordable home charging for millions of households, yet too many drivers are stuck waiting, paying more, or putting off going electric entirely. This consultation is a real opportunity to remove one of the most frustrating and unnecessary barriers drivers face. We hope the Government will act on it.”
For the millions of UK households without off-street parking, resolving this issue represents a crucial step towards equitable access to cleaner transport. While cross-pavement charging will not be suitable for every street or property, where it is feasible, it promises to deliver cheaper charging, lower running costs, and finally break down one of the most persistent obstacles to widespread EV adoption.
