Surrey County Council Launches EV Charging Pavement Gully Scheme
Surrey County Council has taken a significant step forward in supporting the UK's transition to electric vehicles by launching a new pavement gully programme for EV charging cables. Delivered in partnership with innovative charging infrastructure company Kerbo Charge, the scheme is designed to help residents who do not have off-street parking — such as a driveway or garage — to charge their electric vehicles safely and conveniently from their own homes.
The initiative addresses one of the most persistent barriers to EV adoption in the UK: the difficulty of charging for the millions of people who rely on on-street parking. By installing dedicated gullies beneath the pavement surface, residents can run a charging cable from their home to their vehicle without creating a trip hazard on the footpath — a concern that has previously put both councils and residents off pursuing home-based kerbside charging solutions.
What Is a Pavement Gully and How Does It Work?
A pavement gully — sometimes referred to as a cable channel or kerb duct — is a shallow channel cut into the pavement that allows an EV charging cable to pass safely from a property to a vehicle parked at the kerbside. The gully is covered with a protective, flush-fitting cover that keeps the cable secured and out of the way of pedestrians, pushchairs, and mobility aids.
Kerbo Charge, the company behind the technology used in Surrey's programme, has developed a system specifically designed for this purpose. Their solution involves a discreet, durable channel that sits flush with the pavement surface, preventing cables from being strewn loosely across footpaths — which is currently illegal under the Highways Act in most circumstances and poses genuine risks to pedestrians.
The process typically works as follows:
- A resident applies to their local council to have a pavement gully installed outside their property.
- The council, working with Kerbo Charge, assesses the suitability of the location.
- The gully is professionally installed in the pavement, with a cover that can be opened when charging is needed and closed flush when not in use.
- The resident can then run an approved EV charging cable through the gully to their vehicle parked at the kerb, without obstructing the pavement.
Why This Scheme Matters for EV Adoption
The UK government has set a deadline of 2035 for the end of sales of new petrol and diesel cars, meaning the transition to electric vehicles is not a distant ambition — it is an imminent reality. Yet one of the most commonly cited concerns among potential EV buyers remains charging access, particularly for those living in terraced streets, flats, or any property without a dedicated off-street parking space.
According to various industry estimates, around a third of UK households do not have access to off-street parking. For these residents, home charging — widely regarded as the most convenient and cost-effective way to charge an EV — has historically been out of reach. Public charging infrastructure, while growing, remains patchy in many areas, and relying solely on public chargers introduces both inconvenience and higher costs per kilowatt-hour.
Pavement gully schemes like the one now rolling out in Surrey represent a practical, low-disruption solution that can be scaled across residential streets relatively quickly. They do not require major civil engineering works, large charging hubs, or significant changes to the streetscape. For many households, they could be the key that finally makes EV ownership a realistic and affordable prospect.
Surrey County Council's Role in the Green Transition
Surrey County Council's decision to partner with Kerbo Charge places it among a growing number of local authorities across England exploring innovative approaches to EV charging infrastructure. Councils have a critical role to play in this transition, as they control the highways and pavements where much of this infrastructure needs to be deployed.
By offering a structured programme — rather than leaving residents to navigate permissions on their own — Surrey is making it significantly easier for eligible households to access the scheme. A coordinated council-led approach also ensures that installations are carried out safely, consistently, and in compliance with highways regulations, reducing the risk of poorly installed or unsafe cables appearing on pavements across the county.
The partnership with Kerbo Charge brings specialist expertise and purpose-built technology to the programme, which is likely to improve both the quality and speed of rollout compared to ad hoc arrangements.
What This Means for Residents Without Driveways
For residents in Surrey who have been hesitant to switch to an electric vehicle precisely because of charging concerns, this scheme could be a genuine game-changer. The ability to charge overnight at home — taking advantage of off-peak electricity tariffs — can reduce the cost of running an EV dramatically compared to relying on public rapid chargers.
Beyond cost savings, home charging offers unmatched convenience. Drivers can start every day with a full — or near-full — battery, eliminating the need to plan journeys around charging stops for the vast majority of everyday driving. For commuters and families with predictable routines, this transforms the ownership experience of an electric vehicle.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Kerbside EV Charging
Surrey's pavement gully programme is one of several approaches being explored and deployed across the UK to solve the kerbside charging challenge. Lamp post chargers, in-ground charge points, and on-street charging bays are all being trialled in various boroughs and counties. Each solution has its merits depending on street layout, infrastructure, and density of demand.
What makes pavement gullies particularly appealing is their simplicity and relatively low cost compared to installing dedicated on-street charge points, which require grid connections and significant civil works. They empower individual households to take ownership of their charging setup while keeping the public realm tidy and safe.
As more councils follow Surrey's lead and schemes like the Kerbo Charge partnership become more widespread, the hope is that the lack of a driveway will no longer be a barrier to EV ownership for millions of UK households. The road to a cleaner, electric future runs, in part, beneath the pavements of Britain's residential streets — and schemes like this one are helping to pave the way.