Cabinet will meet next week (6 October) to discuss introducing a trial that would allow residents without a driveway or off-street parking to charge electric vehicles safely from home.
The proposed trial, which is expected to run for 12-months, would see the installation of cross-pavement charging channels. These are shallow gullies built into the pavement for the cables to run beneath the surface safely removing potential risks to the public such as a trip or a fall.
Funding for the trail
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority secured £1.5 million from the Department for Transport to support the installation of electric vehicle pavement channels across West Yorkshire. Kirklees Council expects to receive up to £330,000 which will subside the cost of installation and significantly reduce the amount residents would need to pay.
If approved, residents will have to apply to the council, and applications will be assessed to determine whether they meet the trial’s eligibility and suitability criteria before approval is granted.
Councillor John Hardie, Kirklees Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Transport and Highways said:
“As more people make the switch to electric vehicles, we need to ensure everyone has a fair opportunity to charge them conveniently and affordably.
“We know that households without off-street parking currently rely on commercial charging points, which can be more expensive than charging at home. In contrast, residents with a driveway benefit from lower domestic electricity tariffs and the convenience of charging their vehicle from their own home.
“This trial would help address that imbalance by providing a safe and practical charging solution for residents who don’t have access to off-street parking.”
How the trail will inform future plans
The trial will help the council assess customer demand, affordability, convenience and potential risks associated with cross-pavement charging channels. The findings will be used to develop a standardised approach for domestic EV charging and inform any future long-term rollout across Kirklees.
The council will collaborate with Kerbo Charge Ltd, who already operate in Leeds and Bradford, would be appointed to design, install and manage the channels on behalf of the council.