Applications open for discounted cross-pavement EV charging

Households without off-street parking can now take advantage of an offer which will allow them to charge their electric vehicles (EVs) on the street outside their home.

The Council has been awarded £202,000 government funding to subsidise the installation of around 400 pavement gullies which will allow charging cables from properties to safely cross footpaths.

Residents who are interested are now able to apply for the free cable channel equipment and for work to be carried out.

The initiative supports the Council’s priorities of reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality in the borough for the good of residents’ health.

Almost half of Reading households do not have off-street parking which is a major barrier to people transitioning to electric vehicles. This scheme can help make EV ownership viable.

Householders will not have to pay for the equipment but will be responsible for other costs such as the installation of the gully and the EV charger. However, residents will also be able to take £500 off the cost of their charger from 1 April with the government's new national charger grant.

Cllr John Ennis, Lead Councillor for Climate Strategy and Transport, said:

“A large proportion of households in Reading do not have access to off-street parking which is a major barrier to choosing an electric vehicle.

“The cross-pavement scheme is one option residents have available to help make EV ownership viable.

“Around 400 households will be able to take advantage of the offer of a pavement gulley being installed at a discounted rate. This will allow residents to safely run charging cables across the pavement and benefit from their own home’s electricity supply.”

More details of the scheme and how to apply can be found at the Kerbo Charge website at: https://www.kerbocharge.com/locations/reading

The Council has also secured £866k for 2,620 public EV charging points to be installed across Reading with works due to start later this year.