Electric vehicle owners in Stafford without driveways are set to benefit from a new council-backed charging scheme. Staffordshire County Council is launching a programme to help residents install safe charging points outside their homes, funded entirely by government money with no additional cost to the council.
The solution uses a small channel built into the pavement, known as a cross-pavement solution or EV gully, which allows charging cables to run safely from a house to a car parked on the street. This design prevents trip hazards and addresses a major barrier for thousands of Stafford residents without off-street parking who have been priced out of the electric vehicle market by expensive public charging costs.
Andrew Mynors, the council's connectivity chief, stated the plan would "ease cost of living pressures" while keeping disruption during installation to a minimum. The scheme represents a significant opportunity for street parkers across the Stafford area who have been locked out of the EV revolution due to soaring public charging fees.
Staffordshire County Council is now asking residents to complete a survey before 26 July to measure demand and help design a fair scheme for the county. This feedback will be crucial in shaping how the programme rolls out and ensuring it meets the needs of local residents across Stafford and the wider area.