Want an electric vehicle but don’t have a driveway? What you need to know
On the programme on Thursday 10 September 2026*, environmental scientist Laura Anderson and Rip Off Britain producer Katie Saatchi explained the challenges of charging an EV when you only have access to on-street parking.
Depending on your electricity tariff, charging at public chargers is much more expensive than charging at home, meaning those without a driveway are typically looking for safe ways to charge on the public road outside their house.
That's a challenge facing a huge number of people. In England alone, around eight million homes don't have access to a driveway where a dedicated charger could easily be installed. But you generally can't simply run a charging cable across a public pavement due to safety concerns, unless specific permission or arrangements have been put in place by your local authority.
*Note: The information below is correct at time of broadcast, 10 September 2026.
What is cross-pavement charging?
One solution being explored by councils across the UK is cross-pavement charging.
This typically involves installing a specially designed channel, or pavement gully, which allows a charging cable to run safely beneath a protective cover across the pavement between a property and a parked vehicle.
A number of councils have launched pilot schemes in recent years to test whether the approach is practical, safe and cost-effective.
However, whether residents can use one often depends on where they live, since policies, eligibility criteria and costs can vary dramatically from one area to another.
Research based on Freedom of Information responses gathered by Vauxhall found that 42% of responding local authorities across England, Scotland and Wales expect to offer some form of cross-pavement charging by the end of 2026.
But councils remain at very different stages. Some have already introduced schemes, others are running trials, while some currently have no plans to offer them at all.
How much does it cost?
In some trial areas, residents have been able to take part free of charge. Elsewhere, households may face bills running into four figures for a cross-pavement parking solution, before even paying for the EV charger itself.We asked a number of councils what it costs. Among the answers we received were:
• Hertfordshire: Around £1,400 covering assessment, installation and future maintenance contributions.
• Bradford: At least £1,300 plus a £50 annual licence fee.
• Newport: A one-off fee of £1,000.
• Manchester: Between approximately £950 and £1,400, although some residents may qualify for council support.
• Sunderland: A £350 one-off contribution.
• Oxfordshire: £300 initially, followed by annual fees after the first two years, alongside additional requirements such as insurance and safety testing.
It's worth remembering that some of these figures relate to trial schemes and may change in the future.
What help is available?
If you're considering applying for a cross-pavement charging solution, financial support may be available.
In some cases, households can apply for a government grant covering up to 75% of the cost of a cross-pavement channel, up to a maximum contribution of £500.
The Department for Transport, Transport Scotland and the Welsh Government all stress that decisions on cross-pavement charging lie with local authorities, but say they have provided additional funding that councils could put towards planning and installation of EV charging infrastructure – meaning an increase in what’s available could soon be in the offing.
In Northern Ireland, the Department for Infrastructure told us it had recently launched a trial of two solutions that would allow people without a driveway to charge at home, and added that UK Government grants to support EV use are also available.
So, before buying an EV, find out whether your local authority allows cross-pavement charging and whether there are any trials currently running.
The answer could make a significant difference to your charging options and future costs.
