Oxfordshire electric vehicle charging project progresses
A firm has been chosen to install electric vehicle charging cable channels for homes without driveways
A scheme to provide electric vehicle (EV) charging cable channels for homes without driveways in Oxfordshire is moving forward, as the county council has awarded the installation contract to ODS.
The cross-pavement charging channel programme, which began in July, is believed to be the largest of its kind in the UK, and aims to make charging more accessible for residents without off-street parking.
ODS will oversee the installation of up to 500 charging cable channels across residential streets in Oxfordshire, using Gul-e technology to link home electricity points with kerbside parking spaces.
Councillor Ben Higgins, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Future Economy and Innovation, said: “This is a significant landmark in this programme, which is part of a wider £4.3 million government backed project to increase the number of EV chargers in the county.
“We’re excited to work with ODS in making EV ownership a reality for hundreds more Oxfordshire residents. A third of Oxfordshire householders don’t have off street parking, so this could be a real game changer and give residents the confidence to switch to an EV by being able to access home electricity rates.”
Residents can apply to join the scheme and each site will be assessed for safety and suitability under project guidelines.
Approved locations will then be marked for a Gul-e installation, and residents will be responsible for installing a compliant home EV charger.
However, a £700,000 government grant is helping reduce the installation costs for successful applicants.
Oxfordshire’s cable channel scheme is part of a wider programme to increase the county’s electric vehicle infrastructure, with at least 1,200 public EV chargers expected to be installed by the end of 2027.
The project also aims to act as a model for other councils addressing EV accessibility for homes without driveways as the country makes moves toward reducing emissions.