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Electric vehicles

Using an electric vehicle in Cumberland, including a map of where to charge your vehicle, grant funding, how to charge your vehicle at home and at your workplace.

Charging your electric vehicle if you do not have a driveway

Charging at home can be difficult if you do not have a driveway. This pilot scheme offers a way to charge your vehicle safely from your property using a channel installed in the pavement.

The channel allows a charging cable to run between your home and your parked vehicle.

Normal parking rules still apply. You are not guaranteed a space outside your home.

Apply for a cross-pavement charging channel

You must apply through Kerbo Charge Ltd, the council's approved partner.

Kerbo Charge will:

  • assess your property
  • arrange installation
  • provide maintenance for the channel

 Apply for a cross-pavement charging channel

Check your site is suitable before applying

You should only apply if your property and location are likely to meet the requirements.

Check that:

  • you do not have off-street parking
  • there are no parking restrictions, such as double yellow lines
  • there are no site conditions that would prevent installation, such as grass verges
  • your property has enough electrical capacity - a qualified electrician can advise
  • there are no electrical hazards nearby, such as lampposts within 2.5 metres

Applications are assessed individually. Meeting these conditions does not guarantee approval.

If your property opens directly onto the footway

If your property opens directly onto the public footway, your proposed charger must meet all of the following requirements to qualify as permitted development:

  • at least 1.5 metres of unobstructed footway width must remain between the outermost part of the charger and the edge of the carriageway, including any connected plug and charging cable while the vehicle is charging
  • the charger must have a maximum volume of 0.2 cubic metres
  • the charger must not project more than 200mm from the property boundary or wall

These are separate requirements. You must meet all 3.

If you do not meet the permitted development requirements, you can submit a planning application. Approval is not guaranteed.

Planning and other permissions

You are responsible for getting any permissions or consents you need before installation.

The permission you need depends on your circumstances:

If you rent your home

You must get permission from your landlord before applying.

If your property is in a conservation area

You will need planning permission for the:

  • EV charger
  • cross-pavement channel

If your property is a listed building

You will need:

  • planning permission for the EV charger
  • listed building consent for the EV charger

If your property is a listed building within a conservation area

You will need:

  • planning permission for the EV charger and cross-pavement channel
  • listed building consent for the EV charger

Planning application costs will be covered by Cumberland Council for the duration of the pilot.

Submit your planning application by email to:

Email: [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

Once we have assessed your cross-pavement channel application, you will receive a planning application pack with guidance on:

  • completing the planning application
  • applying for listed building consent, where required
  • any supporting documents you may need to provide

If you are unsure whether you need planning permission or listed building consent, contact the Planning Team before applying.

Insurance and installation requirements

You must:

  • hold public liability insurance of at least £5 million for the use of the charging cable and channel, typically through your car insurance provider
  • make sure your policy covers slips or trips
  • provide evidence of insurance within 6 weeks of installation

Your installation must:

  • use an OZEV-approved chargepoint and installer
  • include an open PEN detection device
  • have an Electrical Installation Certificate

Costs to consider

You will need to pay for installation and related costs.

These may include:

  • a £500 contribution towards the channel installation, which is subsidised by the council
  • £400 to £1,000 for a home chargepoint, depending on the installation and any grant received
  • electrical upgrades to your property
  • increases to your home insurance
  • planning permission fees, if required

The Section 178 licence is free during the pilot but may include a yearly fee in future.

Grants to help with costs

You may be able to get a government grant towards installing a home chargepoint.

The grant usually contributes towards the chargepoint, not the pavement channel

Check Residential chargepoints: eligible vehicles on GOV.UK

Your responsibilities after installation

If your application is approved, you must:

  • comply with a Section 178 licence under the Highways Act 1980
  • maintain the channel and report any faults
  • follow all safety and licence conditions

The council may disable the channel if you do not meet the conditions.

The pilot may end, and installations could be removed.