New EV chargers for anyone without a driveway as major trial hits parts of UK
In a huge victory for electric vehicle (EV) owners, Brits in certain parts of the UK will soon be able to charge their cars at home even if they don't have a driveway.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has approved a cross-pavement charging trial, with the aim of helping EV owners who don't have access to off-street parking. The system involves installing cable channels, known as gullies, beneath the pavements of residential streets.
These gullies allow people to run a charging cable across the pavement in a safe and unobtrusive way, making it possible to charge EVs using a home electricity supply. The system is intended for people who live in terraced housing or properties with no driveway — a situation that currently makes at-home vehicle charging difficult.
Having been approved by BCP Council, the trial is set to begin sometime in the near future, with the possibility of being expanded to more areas if successful. While residents will be required to cover the cost of installing a gully and charging socket, some of that expense may be reduced through government support.
The idea is part of the government's wider efforts to increase EV uptake and infrastructure, as well as expanding access to reliable, affordable EV charging. Local authorities in Devon and Suffolk are also piloting similar schemes, supported by guidance from the Department for Transport.
Andy Hadley, BCP Council's portfolio holder for environment, 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."
The idea reflects a growing push to ensure fairer access to EV technology, particularly in densely populated urban areas. The government identified charging infrastructure as one of the key barriers to EV adoption.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said Labour is making it "easier and cheaper" to own an EV. She continued: "We know access to charging is a barrier for people thinking of making the switch, and we are tackling that head-on so that everyone — whether or not they have a driveway – can access the benefits of going electric."
The news comes as a new £63 million round of government funding looks set to accelerate Britain's EV revolution, including a £25 million scheme for local authorities focused on improving access to at-home charging for households without off-street parking. This includes the introduction of cross-pavement charging technology, which enables families to tap into cheaper domestic electricity rates, potentially saving them up to £1,500 a year in comparison to running an ICE vehicle.
BCP Council discussed the plans in more detail on Wednesday, July 16, voting unanimously in favour of the paper and recommendations they need to bring to council to implement the cross-pavement EV charging trial. The Bill was presented and proposed by Councillor Andy Hadley and seconded by Councillor Richard Burton.
Mr Hadley explained that when they previously took the EV charging strategy to council in January 2024, they noted 'a real disparity between the position of somebody who's got a driveway and the ability to charge a car on their own drive, from their own domestic supply, at minimal cost, and people who don't have a driveway and have to use the public infrastructure — the cost per kW is significantly more'.
He also laid out the situation regarding the charging infrastructure currently in place in the borough. They have 110 high-capacity public charging devices with 220 sockets, mainly in car parks, and are close to introducing a further 500 locations with 1,000 low-speed (7kW) sockets in residential areas for overnight charging.
If the pilot scheme is deemed a success, similar pavement gully systems could appear across more streets in the conurbation, and eventually the nation, helping to support the UK's transition to cleaner, greener transport.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
22 minutes ago
- BBC News
Guildford Borough Council overspent by £1.6m on fire safety scheme
A Surrey council has overspent by £1.6m on a major fire safety project after failing to work out how many fire doors needed replacing, it has been from incomplete data left officers underestimating how many doors needed replacing in Guildford Borough Council's housing stock, according to a revealed that the council had already spent £4.1m on the scheme – above the original £2.5m contract further expenditure needed to complete the project would bring its total cost to £6.5m, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Council leader Julia McShane labelled the unexpected cost a "slight overspend", but emphasised the importance of fire efforts to shore up fire safety follow a self-referral to the regulator of social housing in 2023, which came after the council had admitted it was not fully compliant with building safety standards.A C3 rating, flagging serious weaknesses in the council's oversight of its housing stock, was the new doors, additional blocks and fire safety improvements were added mid-way through the project, increasing costs the overspend, no extra funding is being asked for at this stage, with the costs set to be covered from elsewhere in the capital Wrobel, joint chief executive of the council, said: "Whilst it is frustrating we did not catch this before breaching the budget, at the very least, we caught it very shortly afterwards."
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
5 EVs likely eligible for new Electric Car Grant of up to £3,750
The Government has reintroduced grants to slash the price of some new electric cars as part of its efforts to boost sales before the end of the decade. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has unveiled Labour's £650million Electric Car Grant, which comes three years after the previous Tory regime scrapped its own plug-in car grant. The Department for Transport confirms only fully electric models priced at £37,000 or less are eligible for the new grants of up to £3,750, with funding confirmed up until 2028-29. However, there are a number of caveats. Firstly, the scheme will not immediately be available, despite officially launching on Wednesday 16 July. That's because manufacturers need to apply for eligibility for vehicles in their ranges, rather than buyers registering grants at the point of purchase. And not all grants will have a value of £3,750. There will be a two-tier approach to the value deducted from the recommended retail price (RRP), which is determined by how green the manufacturing process is for each different model. The RAC says the grant's restrictions mean drivers will be 'picking models that are not only better for their wallets, but better for the planet too'. We've picked five of the best EVs that are certain to be eligible for the grant - though we will have to wait to find out which will qualify for the full subsidy amount of £3,750. What is the Electric Car Grant? The Electric Car Grant (ECG) is the Government's new big hope to drive sales of EVs in the run-up to the end of the decade as it continues to steer towards outlawing the availability of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030. It arrives three years after the previous Tory administration prematurely scrapped its Plug-in Car Grant (PiCG), which it launched in 2011. Over its 11-year spell, the PiCG amount was gradually wound down; having originally offered to slash the price of any new EV or plug-in hybrid by £5,000 in 2011, by the time the scheme was closed in June 2022 only fully-electric cars below £32,000 were eligible, and the amount knocked off the RRP just £1,500. That said, the scheme proved incredibly successful. It provided more than £1.4billion to motorists to support purchases of nearly half a million electric and hybrid vehicles in that period, in which it was widely responsible for encouraging early adoption of electrified cars. The new ECG will hope to reignite electric car demand among private buyers with the same level of impact after months of stagnating sales. It will be supported by a £650million backing from the Government that will be available for the next three years. However, funding will remain under review, with the scheme subject to amendments or an 'early closure with no notice' should the pot of available money 'become exhausted', the DfT clarified. Only cars up to £37,000 qualify for the grant, which rules out premium models, including every Tesla on sale. No Audi, BMW or Mercedes EV will be eligible either. The Government's hope is that by making the most financially attainable EVs even more affordable, it will make switching more appealing to private buyers rather than just those who lease more expensive EVs or acquire them as company cars or through salary sacrifice schemes. Some 50 existing models are technically eligible for the grants solely based on their starting price. We've listed these below. However, there are a number of electric cars that are just over the £37,000 threshold and manufacturers are likely to review whether to lower the RRPs on these models in order to qualify. How does the Electric Car Grant work? Unlike the PiCG, buyers will not be allocated the grant amount at the point of purchase. Instead, manufacturers must apply to be eligible for the scheme with their sub-£37,000 cars on a 'first come, first served' basis. This means that motorists will not need to fill in any additional paperwork to receive the grant, with all administration handled by the car maker, dealership, and the Government. But because manufacturers must apply for the scheme, it may take weeks for discounted EVs to begin appearing in showrooms, experts say. The new scheme will also differ from the PiCG in that it is a two-tier approach based on 'sustainability criteria'. Only the greenest models - considered 'band one' - receiving the full £3,750 amount. Band two cars with a lower eco rating will be eligible for a reduced amount as low as £1,500. Bands are determined by each maker's Science-Based Target (SBT) - an industry-wide scheme, with manufacturers needing to meet carbon scores below a specific criterion to achieve the highest green standard. Volkswagen and Renault Group have both confirmed they are signed up with the SBT scheme. ECG bands - which could later expand beyond two tiers - will be determined by how much CO2 is emitted in an EV's production, assessing the energy used during assembly as well as battery manufacturing. An overall SBT score is weighted 70 per cent for the CO2 produced during battery manufacturing and 30 per cent for vehicle assembly emissions. Threshold levels to achieve the full £3,750 discount or the lower banded £1,500 have yet to be made public. However, vehicles that don't meet a minimum level will not receive a grant at all. This could be bad news for Chinese EV makers , which currently offer some of the most competitive prices but could fall foul of the emissions-based rules. Speaking on the BBC's Today programme on Wednesday (16 July), Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood said she did not expect any cars that are produced in China to be eligible. 'The grant is restricted to those manufacturers that reach minimum environmental standards,' she said. 'And, frankly, if you generate a lot of the electricity that powers your factory through coal power stations, then you are not going to be able to access this grant.' According to The Telegraph , the Chinese embassy has hit hack and the scheme's stringent requirements. It has called on the UK to follow World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and create a 'non-discriminatory environment for investment'. WTO rules stipulate that members must not give favourable treatment to one country over another when it comes to trading goods and services. An embassy spokesperson added: 'The Chinese side is closely following the situation and will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.' China's - and the world's - biggest EV maker, BYD, has informed the DfT of its intention to apply for eligibility for the Electric Car Grant and said it looks forward to being 'part of it'. According to early reports, British-built EVs were said to qualify for band one in support of UK car makers. However, the DfT has said this will not be the case and that 'all products are assessed under the same framework'. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed the ECG's availability on Monday night, saying: 'The EV grant will not only allow people to keep more of their hard-earned money - it'll help our automotive sector seize one of the biggest opportunities of the 21st century.' On Sunday, Alexander admitted she has not been able to afford an electric car as she hinted towards the introduction of new subsidies. The Cabinet minister - who earns around £160,000 - said she had not purchased a vehicle for about six years as it was 'expensive'. Car industry welcomes EV purchase incentive The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which has been campaigning for new EV purchase incentives to be launched since the PiCG was closed three years ago, said the grant is a 'clear signal to consumers that now is the time to switch'. Mike Hawes, its chief executive, said: 'Rapid deployment and availability of this grant over the next few years will help provide the momentum that is essential to take the EV market from just one in four today, to four in five by the end of the decade. 'This announcement is a welcome response to consistent calls from the industry for more support, which will be in addition to the substantive subsidies already provided by manufacturers.' Simon Williams, head of road policy at the RAC, described the grant as 'just the shot-in-the arm needed to help more drivers go electric'. He added: 'Within weeks, discounted cars should start appearing at dealerships across the country. 'And, as the biggest savings will be given to cars with the strongest 'green' manufacturing credentials, drivers will be picking models that are not only better for their wallets, but better for the planet too.' Ford UK's managing director Lisa Brankin said the introduction of the ECG will slash the price of its new Puma Gen-E model. 'Today's confirmation of customer grants – reducing the cost of sub-£37k electric cars by up to £3,750 – is great news for UK drivers and will make purchasing an electric vehicle much more affordable,' she told This is Money. 'Ford applauds the UK government for taking this step. We have been on the frontline of the conversation, highlighting the urgent need for consumer-based incentives for electric vehicles, and now they have arrived. 'Ford Puma is the best-selling car in the UK and the government grant will help make the all-electric Puma Gen-E even more affordable.' Renault's managing director, Adam Wood, called the grants a 'much-needed signal that Government is ready to put tangible action behind the ambitious plans for the transition to electric vehicles that it has outlined'. Five of the best EVs likely eligible for the grant While any battery electric car with an RRP of £37,000 or below will be eligible for the grant, we will have to wait for manufacturers to apply for the grant before finding out which vehicles qualify - and which band and subsidy amount they will be categorised. However, here is a list of five of the best EVs on sale currently that are available for less than £37,000 - and should become cheaper to buy within a matter of weeks. Below, we have listed them with the potential start price if they are to qualify as band one and the full £3,750 grant allowance. 1. Renault 5 E-Tech - from £19,245 Current price from: £22,995. Versions under £37k: all. Range: up to 250 miles. The Renault 5 E-Tech is a reborn version of the legendary eighties model with battery power - and it has proved a huge success for the French manufacturer since it arrived in Britain earlier this year. Impressive driving characteristics, a premium feel to the cabin, and a more than adequate range of between 190 to 250 miles earned it the worthy title of European Car of the Year Award for 2025. With a starting price of £23,000 and even the top-spec Roland Garros version ringing in at less than £30,000, every version should be eligible for the grant. The 5 has been the best-selling EV in the UK retail sector in the months of April and May, so this is certainly one of the cars the grant is aimed at. 2. Nissan Leaf - from circa £26,250 Current price from: circa £30,000. Versions under £37k: TBC. Range: up to 375 miles. An all-new Nissan Leaf is due to hit showrooms this year. And, given it's the only mass-market EV produced in the UK [ since assembly of the Mini EV moved to China ] at the Sunderland plant in the Northeast, the Japanese brand will be hoping to meet the requirements to secure the full £3,750 'band one' grant allowance. Unlike the outgoing Leaf hatchback, the new model is a crossover with a jacked-up ride height and bulkier styling. Prices are yet to be confirmed, but bosses have hinted it will start from around £30,000. Even mid-to-top spec models are likely to sit below the grant's £37,000 threshold. Two battery options will be available from launch in 2025: a smaller - and cheaper - 52kWh unit offering up to 270 miles of range on a single charge and a larger 75kWh battery which ups the distance to 375 miles. 3. Citroen e-C3 - from £18,345 Current price from: £22,095. Versions under £37k: all. Range: up to 199 miles. There are plenty of compact EV options that should qualify for the ECG criteria, including the Dacia Spring (from £14,995) and Hyundai Inster (from £23,505). But our pick of the most attainably priced electric cars is Citroen's new e-C3 , which start from £22,095. With a range of up to 199 miles, an existing starting price a little over £22,000, and enough room for five adults, this practical and comfortable electric supermini could become even more affordable if it qualifies for the full ECG amount. Even the entry-spec models get a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while higher trim levels - all of them falling well below the grant's £37,000 ceiling - have heated seats, a heated steering wheel and a reversing camera. 4. Kia EV3 - from £29,255 Current price from: £33,005. Versions under £37k: EV3 Air. Range: up to 375 miles. Kia's latest - and smallest - model, the new EV3 , looks set to steal a march on rivals in the most competitive segment of all. With every brand on the planet seemingly offering a compact SUV, Kia's EV3 is our choice of the bunch exclusively with battery power. The entry 'Air' specification sits under the £37,000 ECG threshold with the choice of either the 58.3kWh or 81.4kWh battery. While the smaller battery model (starting from £33,005) offers a range up to 254 miles, the £36,005 Air with the Long Range 81.4kWh battery providing up to 375 miles on a single charge. Produced in Slovakia, it has a very good chance of meeting the DfT sustainable manufacturing criteria to be eligible for the grants. 5. Skoda Elroq - from £27,760 Current price from: £31,510. Versions under £37k: Elroq SE, SE-L and Edition. Range: up to 266 miles. For family car buyers, Skoda's Elroq is another quality option. And with three trims in its range likely to qualify for the ECG, a discount of up to £3,750 could make it compelling option. It's roomy, well-equipped and has that robust Volkswagen Group build quality. While not the most entertaining to drive, it's excellent value against comparable rivals. The entry Elroq SE with a 52kWh battery is the cheapest from £31,510, though this provides a maximum range of up to only 233 miles. The SE-L 60 and Edition 60 with the bigger 59kWh offer up to 266 miles and both sit below the grant's £37,000 cut-off for eligibility. Unfortunately, the larger 77kWh battery versions are all over the ECG's price threshold.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I receive state pension and people don't realise there's one amazing benefit'
Kim Wintermeyer shared one of the "big positives" of the state pension - and how it can help you save money for something special. She said it's something that's not often talked about A pensioner has shed light on a significant perk of the state pension, sharing insights that many might not be aware of. Kim Wintermeyer recently took to TikTok to discuss what she considers "one big positive" of the state pension, despite it being a topic often overlooked. In her video, Kim didn't hold back, detailing how the scheme can help you stash away some extra cash for treats like a holiday. Her revelations have sparked quite the conversation, particularly with potential major pension reforms on the horizon for Brits. This week, the work and pensions secretary declared a review of the state pension age. The government is obliged to reassess the state pension age every six years; the last review wrapped up in 2023, with the next one due in 2029. The upcoming review will scrutinise whether the current state pension age, which is 66, remains suitable. It will consider factors such as life expectancy to make this judgement. Kim shared: "I thought I'd tell you something really positive about the state pension. Obviously, there are lots of negatives that happen when it comes to pensions. "The fact that I get taxed on my other earnings, even though I've paid tax all this time, that I had to wait until I was 67 in order to be able to claim it; however, there is one particular thing that I found amazing. "Unlike other forms of wages or payments, which would come in on the first or last of the month, the state pension doesn't do that. It comes in every four weeks, which means the date changes all the time. "It also comes in 13 instalments. Now, wise ones of you will say 'yes, there's only 12 months in the year, so how does it do 13?' That's why it does it in every four weeks, but that means that one month you get paid twice, and this is my month where we get paid twice, which is really handy for holidays and things." Despite budgeting monthly, Kim revealed she doesn't plan for the additional payment, making the extra windfall "brilliant." She thinks it's one of the state pension's major perks, implying it's a lovely little "pick me up." The Government website confirms that the basic state pension is typically paid every four weeks, with payment dates varying according to your National Insurance Number. Following Kim's revelation, numerous followers responded with their own tales of how they spend their extra payment. One revealed: "I use the extra payment to cover Christmas costs." Another chimed in with: "Oh, that makes sense. I can't wait to retire next year." A third responded: "I get my state pension fornightly, which is much better than four weekly." Meanwhile, a fourth noted: "That is interesting. I didn't know that. "Hubby used to get it paid four weekly. Tricky with bills that go out on the same day every month but, when you sort out your budgeting, it is a great bonus." Another person added their two pence, saying: "That's a lovely little bonus. Every four weeks sounds ace." For further details on the state pension and payment options, check out the Government website.
