The problem of charging an EV for those without a driveway

mapryan · 17 May 2022 at 10:07PM

I live in a suburban semi and in front of my house is a pavement between the house and the road. I could use on-street charging but the charge is much higher than if I could use my own charger with a tariff like Octopus Go. So, the question is how to get the cable to the car without causing a trip hazard.

Going over the pavement isn't really an option, and going under Isn't really practical. But how about going through, with something like this? https://www.drainage-channel.co.uk/threshold-drain/threshold-drain-x-1m-aluminium-grate.html

Councils already make provision to install lowered driveways across pavements and this could be installed in a fraction of the time and cost. If it was hinged and perhaps had a latch there would be little chance of it becoming a trip hazard and yet I could then easily take my charging cable to my car

Thoughts? Anyone here work for a council planning department?

Alnat1 · 17 May 2022 at 10:14PM

Works fine if you could guarantee getting the parking spot right outside your own house. Not always possible in many streets.

Coastalwatch · 17 May 2022 at 10:24PM

On the surface it would appear a great solution. Not sure whether any permissions/regulations would need to be applied or complied with. Could be fun channelling out the pavement and kerbstones.

mapryan · 17 May 2022 at 10:45PM

Coastalwatch said:

On the surface it would appear a great solution. Not sure whether any permissions/regulations would need to be applied or complied with. Could be fun channelling out the pavement and kerbstones.

Indeed, which is why it would need to be something that councils offer as they do for lowered pavements, for example https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/streets/dropped-kerb-and-driveway-marking/apply-for-a-dropped-kerb-crossover/