Vauxhall Partners Kerbo Charge to Expand EV Charging Access

Vauxhall adds Kerbo Charge to its EV campaign as more UK councils adopt cross-pavement charging. Learn how this affects access to home EV charging.

More than 40% of UK councils are expected to offer cross-pavement charging by the end of 2026, setting the backdrop for Vauxhall’s decision to expand its Electric Streets of Britain campaign with Kerbo Charge.

The company, which specialises in installing cross-pavement charging channels, addresses one of the most persistent barriers to EV adoption: the lack of home charging access for millions of residents without private driveways. According to Vauxhall’s research, 56 local authorities already offer or plan to introduce such solutions, although full deployment remains limited, with only a small number of councils currently operating live installations and others still in trial phases.

This development carries broader significance for the EV market. Around 30–40% of UK households do not have off-street parking, leaving them dependent on public infrastructure. At the same time, the cost difference between home and public charging is substantial, directly affecting the overall cost of ownership. Surveys show that drivers with access to home charging are far more likely to view EV ownership as affordable, while those relying on public chargers face noticeably higher running costs.

Technically, cross-pavement charging is a relatively straightforward solution. A discreet channel is installed into the pavement, allowing a cable to run safely from a home charging unit to a vehicle parked at the kerb. The channel closes when in use, reducing trip hazards and improving safety for pedestrians. Despite its simplicity, the approach is still at an early stage of adoption, with no unified national standards and significant variation in how councils regulate installations.

That lack of consistency remains a key challenge. Installation costs can range from free to more than £1,000 depending on local authority policies. In addition, residents often face unclear application processes and long approval timelines. Industry reports highlight low awareness as well, with many drivers unfamiliar with cross-pavement solutions or unsure how to access them.

Government support is gradually expanding to address these barriers. Grants are available to help households and businesses install chargepoints, including those without private parking, while dedicated funding has been allocated to councils to roll out pavement channel solutions. At the same time, the UK’s public charging network continues to grow, now exceeding 100,000 chargers, although access to lower-cost home charging remains a decisive factor for many drivers.

Against this backdrop, the partnership between Vauxhall and Kerbo Charge signals a push toward scaling practical solutions beyond pilot programmes. Vauxhall is also offering a £500 installation discount for EV buyers, complementing existing government incentives. Together, these measures could help reduce one of the key financial and practical barriers that still limits wider EV adoption among urban households.