EVA England launches cross-pavement charging survey

Drivers’ association wants to capture real world experiences

Concessions on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill mean drivers without driveways are invited to share their experience of accessing affordable home charging

In response, drivers’ association EVA England launches a national survey on cross-pavement charging to capture the real world experiences of drivers without access to off-street parking and to help shape the next phase of delivery on fair access to home charging.

The survey follows progress in Parliament on tackling the UK’s growing “charging divide” – the cost and access gap between drivers who can charge at home and those who must rely on public charging – after Baroness Pidgeon secured two key government commitments during the passage of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill in the House of Lords. 

The Bill formally became Law last week. The governments commitments include a formal consultation on extending permitted development rights to cross-pavement charging solutions and a commitment for Ministers to write to all local authorities, urging them to use their own highways contractors to install these technologies – measures intended to reduce both costs and delays for residents.

The concessions were secured following sustained engagement on the Bill by EVA England, working alongside sector partners, including REA, New AutoMotive, and Kerbo Charge, as well as parliamentary supporters. 

The campaigners highlighted the practical and financial barriers facing drivers without driveways and the role cross-pavement solutions can play in addressing them.
EVA England’s annual driver survey shows that 95% of EV drivers would recommend electric driving to friends and family, citing cleaner air, easier driving and lower running costs. However, these benefits are not being felt equally.

More than 9 in 10 EV drivers surveyed by EVA England have access to a driveway, and 87% of those drivers say their EV is cheaper to run than their previous petrol or diesel car. Among drivers without a driveway, that figure drops to just 50%, largely because they are forced to rely on the public charging network for everyday charging.

The price difference is marked. Charging at home under the domestic electricity price cap costs around 26p per kWh – and with smart tariffs, some drivers pay as little as 7p per kWh – saving EV drivers on average around £1,000 a year. By contrast, the average cost of charging at a slow or fast public charger is around 52p per kWh, rising to around 76p per kWh on rapid and ultra-rapid chargers.

The government’s Public Charging Review and steps taken by chargepoint operators to introduce discounted tariffs are ongoing, but EVA England says the cost of public charging currently remains significantly higher than domestic electricity. As a result, solutions such as cross-pavement charging and charge sharing, which enable drivers without driveways to access home-rate charging safely and legally, are an important part of the charging infrastructure mix.

Until recently, many local authorities were reluctant to consider cross-pavement solutions as part of their charging infrastructure mix, says EVA England. Drivers faced approval processes lasting up to 15 months and installation costs of up to £3,000, creating a significant barrier to switching to an EV.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill provided a clear opportunity to address these issues. Baroness Pidgeon successfully pressed the government to act, resulting in two key commitments:

• A formal consultation on extending permitted development rights to cross-pavement charging solutions, to be followed by secondary legislation as soon as possible.
• A commitment for ministers to write to all local authorities, urging them to use their own highways contractors to install cross-pavement solutions, helping to reduce delays and costs for residents.

EVA England hopes its survey of drivers’ lived experiences will ensure EV drivers remain central as policy commitments and consultations are turned into practical delivery on the ground. The survey is open to drivers who do not have access to off-street parking, those who currently rely on public charging, and residents who have installed – or attempted to install – a cross-pavement solution. Responses will be used to inform EVA England’s ongoing policy work and engagement with government, local authorities and industry.

Take the cross-pavement survey 

Vicky Edmonds, chief executive of EVA England, said: “Recent progress in Parliament shows what can be achieved when drivers’ experiences are taken seriously. The commitments secured by Baroness Pidgeon are an important step towards tackling the charging divide, but policy change only works if it reflects what is actually happening on our streets.

“This survey is about making sure drivers without driveways are heard as government takes these commitments forward. Cross-pavement charging won’t be right for everyone, but where it does work it can unlock access to cheaper charging, lower running costs and one less barrier to switching to electric. We want Government and local authorities to get this right, and that starts with listening to drivers.”

Michael Goulden, co-founder of Kerbocharge, said: “For too long, over 40% of UK homes have faced a barrier to EV ownership simply because they don’t have a driveway.  This has left many potential EV drivers with limited options, such as paying high prices at inconvenient public charging points or sticking with polluting petrol and diesel cars, which contribute directly to the climate emergency. 

“The good news is that the government is now moving quickly to tackle the barriers, including consulting on removing the need for planning permission for home chargers, and this survey will provide vital evidence to support the changes we urgently need”

Ben Macdonald, founder and managing director of Nodum, said: “Support for cross-pavement solutions is a critical part of helping to ensure a more just transition. Given the diversity of the British built environment and the variety of driver needs it is crucial to have a wider range of options to help keep charging costs lower. This survey from EVA England will play a vital role in developing a more nuanced understanding of the needs of British drivers.”