LONDON — The UK government removed the need for planning permission for EV charger gullies, but more than 20 local authorities still prohibit or restrict their installation. These gullies allow residents without off-street parking to run charging cables from their homes across pavements to vehicles parked on the street.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said charger gullies will help cut costs for drivers. The move aligns with efforts to support the 9.3 million UK households that lack off-street parking, according to the consultancy Field Dynamics.
Despite the national policy change, local councils retain control over street works licences required for installation. Leicester City Council cited concerns about accessibility, noting that residents of terrace houses often cannot park directly outside their homes. Kent County Council expressed worries about electric shock risks if cables are damaged.
Worcestershire County Council stated it does not “permit the breaking or any damage to the highway to install an EV charger connection,” though it allows cable protector ramps. Ealing Council in west London cited “accessibility and safety concerns, particularly for elderly residents, disabled people, wheelchair users and those with visual impairments,” and is instead installing chargers in lamp-posts. Westminster Council said gullies are unsuitable for dense urban areas, while Hackney Council said it aims to “minimise street clutter and prioritise vulnerable road users, such as people walking and wheeling over private vehicles” by expanding public chargers instead.
Michael Goulden, co-founder of gully maker Kerbo Charge, said: “It’s still going to require local authority approval before each installation.” He added: “Many inner London boroughs have no plans to do cross-pavement right now.” He also said: “This change in the legislation [removing the need for planning permission] will make no difference to their residents in the near future.” Goulden added: “We’re getting more and more streamlined with local authorities to make that more efficient.” Kerbo Charge is working with 48 local authorities that allow or are trialling gullies.
Adam Dolphin, director of Gul-e, said: “They all have their different processes. I wouldn’t say they’re an intentional barrier. They’re just working through the process, how it works.” Gully makers including Kerbo Charge, Gul-e, Pavecross and ACO argue their products allow households to run a cable to their car parked on the street without creating a trip hazard.