Cross-pavement EV charging: what it is
A cable runs from a charger at your home, across the pavement, to the car parked on the road. For the on-street grant, the cross-pavement solution must not be a temporary one, such as cable covers or mats placed on top of a cable (Find a Grant).
The government grant for households with on-street parking
This is a separate grant from the one for renters and flat owners (Find a Grant). It needs (Find a Grant):
- a permanent cross-pavement solution
- your local highways authority's consent, which your application has to evidence
- any planning permission your local planning authority requires for the chargepoint and the cross-pavement solution
As with the other grants, the chargepoint must not be installed before OZEV confirms you're eligible (Find a Grant). Its other conditions are on Find a Grant; read them before you start (Find a Grant).
Cornwall Council's EV charging channel
Cornwall Council can use the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme to cover up to £1,200 towards installing a cross-pavement cable channel (Cornwall Council). Its page also sets out (Cornwall Council):
- a licence to install the channel, currently £184, which you pay
- planning permission for the charge point, which is your responsibility
- confirmation from a registered electrician that a suitable charge point can be installed at ground floor level within your property boundary
- a charger of 7.5 kW or lower
You apply by email to Cornwall Highways at enquiries@cornwallhighways.co.uk (Cornwall Council). The council's page lists who can apply, including conditions about where you park; check them first (Cornwall Council).
How long it takes
The council says an application takes four weeks to process, and its contractor, Cormac, aims to install the channel within two months of the licence being issued (Cornwall Council). Add the time for planning permission and for fitting the charger itself, and plan in months rather than weeks.
EV charging with no driveway: the other options
If neither route fits your street, public and workplace charging are the alternatives. Our guide to charging an EV without a driveway compares them.
Renters and flat owners with parking
If you do have a private off-street space, even one that isn't part of the property, the renters and flat owners grant may fit instead (gov.uk): see EV charging for flats and renters or run the checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Can I charge an EV at home without a driveway?
Possibly, with a permanent cross-pavement solution. The government's on-street households grant (Find a Grant) and Cornwall Council's channel scheme (Cornwall Council) both cover this route.
How much does Cornwall Council pay towards the channel?
Up to £1,200 towards installing a cross-pavement cable channel, through the LEVI scheme. You pay the licence fee, currently £184 (Cornwall Council).
Can I just run a cable over the pavement?
Not for the on-street grant: the solution must not be temporary, such as cable covers or mats placed on top of a cable (Find a Grant).
Do I need planning permission?
The council scheme says planning permission for the charge point is your responsibility (Cornwall Council), and the on-street grant needs any planning permission your local planning authority requires (Find a Grant).
Where this leaves you
We're an independent guide, not an installer. There are three honest ways to get a charger fitted:
- Book a national installer online. Companies such as Pod Energy sell the charger and installation together (affiliate link: we may earn a commission). If you're applying for the grant, the quote must come from an OZEV-authorised installer (Find a Grant).
- Find a local installer yourself with gov.uk's Find an electric vehicle (EV) chargepoint installer search.
- Ask us for an introduction. If we pass your details to a local installer, your confirmation email names the firm. Installers may pay us for introductions; it does not change your price. Ask for an introduction.
Not sure where you stand? Use the grant checklist. The full rules are in our OZEV grant guide, and typical prices are in the Cornwall cost guide.