EV Charger Cable Cover Alternatives
The demand for EV charger cable covers and similar solutions are on the rise for owners looking to charge their car without access to a driveway. This should be of no surprise as the UK has seen a 43.2% increase in registered EV cars when comparing 2022 to 2023 (663,700 to 950,541)(1), yet a considerable amount of homes in the UK do not have private space on their property to allow for off-street parking.
An estimated 40% of homes in the UK do not have access to a driveway(2), so how do these households benefit from the savings and convenience that are available for the rest of the nation?
In this article we are going to take a look at EV charger cable covers and other solutions that are available for EV owners that are looking for an on-street electric vehicle charging solution.
Sources
(1) ZapMap (source)
(2) Field Dynamics (source)
Why is an on-street charging solution required?
Before we start looking at the different types of solutions that are available, let’s explore why a solution is essential if you don’t have access to a driveway.
Trip hazards & legal consequences
Trailing a loose EV charging cable across the pavement from your home charger is an accident waiting to happen. Due to pavements being public property, there can be legal consequences to having a cable running across the ground. Councils in Suffolk and Kent have already banned the use of EV charger cables trailed across the pavement.
Sources
Kent Council - source
Suffolk Council - source
Staying plugged in
Certain home charging tariffs allow for incredible savings when charging your EV. When comparing an off-peak home charging rate of 10p kWh (Octopus Energy) vs a public charging station at 55p kWh (Slow/Fast charging average price) there is a 450% increase in cost when choosing the public option.
Disclaimer: Until Kerbo Charge is available where you live, we know you'll be interested in how you can charge your car at home, and so we've prepared this guide for you.
Please note Kerbo Charge does not advocate the use of cable covers and they are prohibited by many councils. Always check that your local authority permits the use of cable covers before you use one.
EV charger cable cover
By covering the charging cable with a ramp-like outer shell, an ev charger cable cover aims to reduce the abrupt change in walking surface that occurs when a cable is left on a pavement. The solution allows for a more gradual incline and decline over the cable protected within the cover.
While this may somewhat reduce the potential of a trip occurring, it does not address the main issue caused which is the elevation of the walking surface. The average person would not expect elevation to occur on a standard pavement therefore would be at risk of tripping up. Additionally, the EV charger cable cover can cause considerable difficulties for people with mobility issues such as wheelchair users.
Flat charging cable solution
A potential solution that significantly reduces the elevation caused by a standard cable cover is through using a ribbon charging cable. Due to the structure of this type of cable it is able to remain flush with the surface allowing for a reduced incline in pavement surface.
A significant issue to take into consideration when it comes to the use of a ribbon charging cable is how to ensure that the cable remains flat at all times. If for any reason the cable does not remain flush with the ground it may end up causing similar if not worse trip hazard concerns than would be present with the use of a solution such as an EV charging cable cover.
EV gully solution
Through the process of inserting a channel within the pavement, an EV gully allows for on-street charging to take place without any alteration to the elevation of the surface a pedestrian is walking on. This means that pedestrians are able to use the pavement as they usually would and avoids potential issues that an individual with disabilities may face with some of the solutions previously mentioned.
Pavements are public property therefore permission is required from your local council to alter them. At this very moment in time this solution is only available in certain areas of the UK where the agreements with local councils have already been secured.
We’re working to make Kerbo Charge available across the UK. Click here to see if we can install our on street charging solution where you live.
Conclusion
As we move closer to 2035 and the UK government’s plan to make petrol and diesel fueled vehicles a thing of the past, we are naturally going to see a greater demand for on-street home charging solutions. We hope this article has supported you on the journey of making an informed decision on how you will aim to benefit from the rewards of home charging even if you don’t have a private driveway.
