Understanding the £25m Government Grant to Support Cross-Pavement EV Charging

 

The electric vehicles (EV) debate in the UK has many layers. A common sticking point for detractors is a shortage of convenient charging stations, with home charging (or lack of) being one of the biggest barriers for households without driveways.

 

To tackle this issue and encourage further uptake of electric vehicles the UK Government announced a £25m grant to fund cross-pavement charging solutions for local councils as we move towards the 2030 deadline (the ending of new petrol and diesel cars sales in the UK).

 

What is the EV Pavement Channels Grant?

The EV Pavement Channels Grant was created as part of a wider £63m Department for Transport package. It launched on August 12th, 2025, with a deadline for applications currently set for October 31st, 2025.

The grant allows for local authorities to install cross-pavement channels, also known as gullies, as a safe channel for residents without driveways to charge their vehicles at home using cheaper domestic electricity tariffs.

Local authorities can apply for the grant through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund to install these channels, and householders may receive grants of up to £350 for on-street installations.

 

How Cross-Pavement Charging works in 3 steps

• Installation

A local contractor saw-cuts the pavement and installs the channel, commonly made of high-strength plastic (such as uPVC).

• Cable routing

The cable from the home EV charge point is fed through the channel. 

• Secure & safe connection

A lockable cover or gully is placed into the pavement, allowing the cable to pass from the property to the street without interference form passers-by. 

Why this matters for drivers

 

For many drivers, one of the biggest barriers to switching to an electric vehicle has been the lack of affordable, convenient charging at home.

 

The new cross-pavement charging grant allows drivers without off-street parking (most of the UK’s drive force) to use cheaper domestic electricity rates, potentially as low as 2 pence per mile, which can significantly reduce their annual running costs compared to using public chargers.

By enabling drivers without off-street parking to access cheaper domestic electricity rates, EV owners could save up to £1,500 per year compared to running a petrol or diesel car**, helping to make electric vehicles a realistic and attractive choice for more people.

Local authorities role in the Cross-Pavement Charging grant

Approximately 40% of UK households lack off-street parking.

Local authorities' primary role in the cross-pavement charging grant is to apply for and manage the funding as an opportunity to expand local EV charging infrastructure, with guidance and delivery support from Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund partners.

The authorities own the infrastructure and are responsible for its maintenance as well as regulation enforcement under the New Roads and Street Works Act.

Big picture of the UK’s EV government investment

The cross-pavement grant contributes to the UK’s goal of achieving 80% of new car sales being zero-emission by 2030, as part of the £4bn+ already invested into accelerating EV transition with a focus on removing charging pain points.

The government plans to phase out sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035 to support wider climate goals, such as reaching Net Zero by 2050, by improving air quality and reducing emissions from transport.

Read more.

Currently, there are 82,000+ public charge points in the UK, with further rapid growth expected soon.

 

Where are you on your electrification journey?

Northgate is here to help you transition your fleet to EVs and make sense of those decisions that can have you feeling overwhelmed.

 

Our award-winning Drive to Zero programme supports you at every stage, from strategy to implementation, ensuring a smooth switch to electric in a way that makes financial and practical sense.

 

Every Northgate EV hire includes service and maintenance as standard, plus complimentary EV support for your drivers. With IMI-accredited EV technicians across our UK branches, we’ll keep your fleet moving with expert in-house support.

 

Let’s make your EV transition simple.

Drive to Zero with added Northgate value

Our exclusive EV hire offer* gives you a choice of:

• Up to £1,300 off home charger installation
• Up to £1,300 off workplace charger installation
• Free 1-to-1 EV driver training to help your team get the most out of every mile

Optimised charging solutions, reduced downtime, and smoother transitions.

Find out more and start customising your EV hire package today.

*One offer per eligible vehicle hired on 12months+. T&Cs apply.

** Source: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/grants-and-loans/electric-vehicle-pavement-channels-grant/#:~:text=Location%20notice,will%20be%20assessed%20following%20submission