MK City Council is partnering with Kerbo Charge to trial a new electric car charging product that could unlock home charging for more local people without off street parking, as well as potentially saving them more than £1,400 per year compared to charging solely at fast public chargers.
The product is installed in tarmac or stone pavements directly outside a customer’s home, creating a narrow channel (32mm deep, 39mm wide) with a hinged lid in which the user can easily place a charging cable, running it to their car with no trip hazards from trailing cables.
John and Grace Obidipe (pictured) who live in Oxley Park are among the first to trial the product. Prior to enrolling onto the trial the family either needed to trail a cable over the pavement or drive one mile to their nearest charge point to charge their car.
They now have a specially designed polymer channel with a self-closing lid in the pathway outside their house, which they can switch on using an app. Some of the residents involved in the trial will also receive faster charging smart chargers from UK charger manufacturer Indra - residents can then charge their car up to three times as fast as regular household sockets.
If the trial is successful, MK City Council will begin making the product available to more residents across the city from this summer.
Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Sustainability, Cllr Jennifer Wilson-Marklew said: “This is a really innovative and exciting trial which could encourage people to make the switch to electric. We’re constantly looking for ways to improve charging facilities and give people the confidence that they will be able to charge their cars.
“This is another step towards us setting the standard and leading the way towards a net zero future. I’m looking forward to hearing from John and Grace to see how it’s working out for them.”
John Obidipe said: “I’ve not felt particularly comfortable trailing a cable over the pavement to charge my car, and public charge points are very expensive. Now I can safely charge at home, which I’m really happy about.”
Kerbo Charge Co-Founder Michael Goulden said: “Residents want to charge their car at home as it is convenient and affordable - but this is much more difficult for the 40% of the population that don’t have a driveway. Milton Keynes City Council shares our vision of reducing this inequality and our commitment to a zero emissions future and we’ve been absolutely delighted to partner with them.”
