A major new survey of EV drivers and prospective buyers with on-street parking found more than four in ten (43.7 percent) say they would only get an electric car if they could charge it at home, while a further 33 percent say home charging would make them more likely to switch.
However, planning rules are getting in the way. More than eight in ten respondents (84 percent) say requiring planning permission for a home charger would deter them from buying an EV, with 42.8 percent saying it would stop them completely.
The Government recently completed a consultation about relaxing planning rules so that residents with on-street parking do not need planning permission for a charger when they’ve already got approval for a cross-pavement channel. However, until the rules actually change, a major barrier to EV adoption remains.
“Charging from home is 5 to 10 times cheaper than public charging and much more convenient, we therefore need to make it easy for all residents to charge from home if we’re going to get mass adoption of EVs in the UK” said Michael Goulden, CEO of Kerbo Charge said:
The research also reveals widespread frustration with the cost and accessibility of public charging. Many drivers who have installed cross pavement charging channels describe them as a “game changer” that makes EV ownership possible without a driveway.
“There is a real problem to solve here: how to make EV charging fair and equitable for everyone, not just those with driveways” added Deborah Meaden, sustainability advocate and Dragons’ Den investor in Kerbo Charge. “This research shows the scale of that challenge, and I’m delighted the Government has recently announced £25 million of funding for cross pavement charging, as well as a consultation on changing permitted development rights for home chargers.”
Campaigners say simplifying council rules for pavement charging channels and removing the need for planning permission for chargers will unlock electric car ownership for millions of households that currently rely on street parking.
Drivers are ready to make the switch to electric, but for millions without driveways, outdated planning rules and unreliable public charging are holding them back. With home charging far cheaper and more convenient, campaigners argue that simplifying council processes and removing unnecessary red tape around pavement charging channels will unlock EV ownership at scale. If the Government is serious about accelerating adoption, making home charging accessible to all drivers will be a crucial step in turning ambition into reality.
“It’s brilliant to see more councils enabling gullies so drivers can charge at home, even when parking on the street” said Fiona Howarth, Founder and Director Octopus Electric Vehicles. “Drivers switching to electric are already saving up to 80 percent on fuel by charging overnight, so expanding access to home charging is a big step forward. Innovators like Kerbo Charge are helping open this up to more households, backed by government and council grants. The next step is simple: make planning easier, so more drivers can get their hands on cheaper, convenient home charging.”
Image: A cross-pavement channel install in Milton Keynes – the cable is removed after use and the lid stays flush and flat (Picture: Kerbo Charge)
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