Funding boost for EV street charging

A new regional transport investment is set to make electric vehicle ownership more affordable for households without driveways or off-street parking.

North East mayor Kim McGuinness has secured £1.2 million in Government funding to help residents access cheaper at-home EV charging rates through new pavement charging technology.

The funding, provided through the Government’s EV pavement channels grant, will support installations across local authority areas in the North East.

The scheme is aimed at residents who currently rely on more expensive public charging facilities because they park on the street rather than on private driveways.

Installation works involve creating shallow covered channels beneath pavements, allowing charging cables to run safely from homes to vehicles parked at the kerbside without creating trip hazards.

Residents will be able to apply through their local councils, with eligibility criteria and rollout dates varying across the region.

Mayor McGuinness says the investment will help more households transition to electric vehicles while supporting wider ambitions around cleaner and greener transport.

She said: “I am determined the North East leads the way in the transition to electric vehicles, and this funding will make EV ownership more accessible for more than a thousand families who don’t have a driveway. 

“Where you live should not make a difference to whether you can choose an electric vehicle. 

“This fund means families can charge at home, at cheaper residential rates, just like those with off‑street parking already do – putting money back in people’s pockets and making electric vehicles a realistic option for far more people.”

Keir Mather, aviation, maritime and decarbonisation minister, added: “We’re investing £1.2 million in the North East to make charging cheaper and more accessible, giving drivers the confidence to go electric. 

“This support is targeted at residents without private driveways so they can tap into domestic electricity rates and charge up for as little as 2p per mile.

“We're also tackling upfront costs through our Electric Car Grant, helping over 100,000 drivers save up to £3,750 on a new EV, putting money back in people’s pockets when they go electric.” 

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.