Published on Wednesday 09 July 2025
Charging electric vehicles from home could be about to get a lot easier, if proposals get the green light.
A cross-pavement charging trial is set to be discussed by BCP Council’s Cabinet later this month (16 July) which, if successful, would pave the way for broader implementation across our three towns.
The scheme would see residents, who don’t have access to off-street parking, able to charge their electric vehicle using cable channels embedded within the pavement - so able to use their cheaper, domestic energy supply as opposed to relying on commercial chargers.
Councillors will discuss the proposed trial at this month’s Cabinet meeting after a number of requests from residents for simplified charging solutions.
If approved, residents wishing to charge their vehicles from home can apply for the installation of a discreet and unobtrusive charging gully within the pavement alongside a ‘safe socket’ charging point.
The upfront cost to residents who choose to have a gully and charge point installed is partially off-set by a central Government grant.
Councillor Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy at BCP Council, said: “Charging gullies could make owning an electric vehicle a more attractive option for residents that do not have off-street parking.
“This is exactly the sort of innovative solution that residents have been asking us to provide and is an important part of our wider EV strategy.
“In addition to making car at-home charging more accessible, we are committed to rolling out more convenient public charging points.
“We currently have 110 charge points across BCP car parks and are looking to create an additional 500 charge points in the next five years; we are keen that these measures do not take space or create trip hazard for pedestrians.
By charging vehicles using the domestic energy supply, costs can be as low as 5p per kWh (depending on supplier and tariff) compared to between 44p and 89p per kWh at a public charging station.
Other local authorities, including Devon County Council and Suffolk County Council, have already announced their own trials following national guidance issued by the Government at the end of 2024.