Electric vehicle owners without off-street parking could soon have access to a practical home-charging solution, as new research reveals that almost half of local councils in Great Britain plan to offer cross-pavement charging by the end of this year.
A Freedom of Information request submitted by Vauxhall found that 42% of councils in England, Scotland and Wales either already provide or intend to make cross-pavement charging available before the close of 2026. In total, 56 tier one councils are included in that figure, potentially giving millions of drivers a viable means of charging their electric vehicle at home.
Where do councils currently stand?
Of the 134 councils that responded to the FOI request, seven already have live cross-pavement charging schemes in place. A further 21 are in the trial stage, and 28 are planning a full rollout during 2026.
The research also highlights considerable inconsistency across the country in how councils handle applications from residents wishing to install cross-pavement charging. Costs for installation vary widely, with some local authorities offering the service free of charge while others levy fees in excess of £1,000.
Resident frustrations highlighted
The Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) England published a report in January 2026 setting out the frustrations experienced by residents attempting to navigate the process. These included a lack of clear information about available EV charging options, uncertainty about how to apply for cross-pavement charging, and lengthy waits to find out whether an application had been approved.
Eurig Druce, Managing Director at Stellantis UK, commented: “To allow drivers across the country to feel confident going electric, councils need to ensure they are providing drivers with as much clarity as possible about the options available to them, and how they can install EV charging outside their door.”
What is cross-pavement EV charging?
Cross-pavement charging allows a driver to charge their electric vehicle from home by running a charging cable through a self-closing channel installed in the pavement to a wall-mounted chargepoint.
There are two types currently in use. The more common option involves EV cable channels, often referred to as “gullies”, which are embedded within the pavement surface. These house the cable temporarily whilst the vehicle is charging; once complete, the cable is removed.
The second option uses a permanent cable laid beneath the pavement, connected to a domestic chargepoint via removable bollards and connectors.
Given the variation in rules and systems across different areas, drivers are advised to contact their local council directly to find out what options are available to them.
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