First electric pavement channel installed in the city

Plymouth is trialling new ways to make charging electric cars more accessible for residents without off-street parking.

The trial, funded through the Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, enables residents without off-street parking to safely charge their EVs at home by running a cable from their property across the pavement via a specially designed channel.

This solution aims to reduce trip hazards and support the growing number of EV users in the city.

The first installation marks the beginning of a wider trial that will see up to 100 pavement channels installed across the city, alongside 600 new on-street and car park chargers.

Councillor John Stephens, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “This is a really exciting step forward for Plymouth. We know that around 37 per cent of households in the city don’t have access to off-street parking, which can be a real barrier to switching to electric vehicles. By trialling pavement channels, we’re helping to remove that barrier and make EV ownership a more realistic option for more people.”

Paul, a local resident who has taken part in the trial, saw it advertised online and was intrigued to know more after purchasing his electric car.

He said: “It’s so much easier to charge my car outside my home. It’s a safer way to charge my car with no trip hazards and saves me having to pop out to find somewhere to charge up.”

National figures show an upward trend in EV adoption with one in four new cars sold in June being fully electric, indicating the need to ensure charging options are accessible for everyone.

Each application has been assessed for suitability based on factors such as land ownership, the presence of trees or green spaces, and the layout of the footway.

The Council is committed to ensuring that all trial installations are safe, practical, and maintainable, and will use the findings to inform future policy and infrastructure development.