Many drivers who live in terraced houses or flats and lack off‑street parking are being told they cannot fit a cross‑pavement gully — a slim cable channel laid through the pavement to a roadside kerb — even though a recent change in law was intended to make the installations simpler.
What a gully does
A cross‑pavement gully allows an EV owner to run a single charging cable from a property to a lamp column or kerbside socket, enabling home charging where driveways are not available. Supporters say being able to plug in at home instead of relying on public rapid chargers can substantially lower the per‑charge cost; some drivers have said it can reduce the cost of a full charge to as little as £6.
Legal change, local variation
The government has altered the rules to encourage take‑up of these installations, but the effect has been patchy. Local authorities retain discretion over what they will allow on their pavements, and many homeowners report facing refusals or delays. For some, like the London owner who upgraded her home with insulation and solar but cannot install a gully, the change in law has not resolved the practical barrier to home charging.
Impact on drivers and the EV transition
Campaigners say the postcode lottery risks creating a two‑tier system in which drivers with off‑street parking enjoy much lower running costs while those in denser urban housing pay more for public charging. That could slow the shift to electric vehicles among households that cannot secure convenient, affordable home charging. Local authorities say they must balance pedestrian access, street clutter and safety when deciding whether to permit gullies.
Next steps
Industry groups and some councils are discussing clearer guidance and faster processes to apply for gully installations, while advocates want tighter national standards to avoid inconsistent outcomes. As municipalities work through practical and safety concerns, many EV owners are watching to see whether the promised cost savings from easier home charging will reach those without driveways.