Household EV charging options are currently limited, especially for households who do not have access to off-street parking.
Traditional EV charging options include trailing charger cables across the pavement, creating trip hazards and diminishing mobility, or relying upon public charging points such as on-street charging or public car parks.
It is estimated that currently 24.6% of UK households (6.6 million households) do not have access to off-street parking and cannot charge electric vehicles at home.
We have previously trialled our Go Ultra Low Oxford project to explore different charging solutions for residents without driveways. What we have learnt from this is continuing to inform ongoing projects.
LEVI gulley programme
Oxfordshire County Council has secured Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Pilot funding to help keep costs low and to run a large-scale pilot installing 500 EV cable gullies across Oxfordshire, with ODS appointed as the contractor. The pilot aims to test the business case for a future resident-funded service.
Applications are now open and will be considered on a first come, first served basis and the process includes a site safety assessment by highway officers.
If you are successful in your application, you are expected to arrange the installation of your own EV charging unit (including applying for planning permission for the charger) and will need to enter into a licensing agreement with Oxfordshire County Council for the use of the cable channel.
How to apply for an EV cable gully
Applications are being overseen by Oxfordshire County Council. To apply and get more information, visit Electric vehicle (EV) cable channel at Oxfordshire.gov.uk.
Gul-e EV charging solution
Gul-e is an innovative electric vehicle (EV) charging solution created by ODS.
Gul-e provides a durable gully / channel that is installed in the footway, to enable smooth home EV charging for homes without driveways. The user parks in front of their home, presses the charging cable into the gully and plugs their vehicle into their home charger.
Benefits of the Gul-e charger include:
- secure and seamless cable gully recessed in the footway
- encourages overnight charging, reducing network grid pressures
- removes trip hazards by safely securing the cable out of the way for pedestrians
- unobtrusive design that minimises street clutter
- reduces on-street EV charging infrastructure spend
How to get involved with Gul-e as an organisation
ODS continues to work with local authorities across the UK, as well as fleet operators, housing providers and private businesses, to support the wider adoption of cross‑pavement EV charging solutions.
Through these partnerships, Gul‑e is helping organisations overcome barriers to home and near‑home charging where off‑street parking is limited, and supporting more equitable access to electric vehicles.
Organisations interested in exploring or delivering cross‑pavement charging solutions using Gul‑e, can get in touch on the Gul-e website.
