West Berkshire Council Tests Electric Vehicle Charging.

West Berkshire Council has made history by being the first UK council to successfully trial a revolutionary through-pavement system for charging electric vehicles (EV) and subsequently rolling it out to all residents.
Following a comprehensive nine-month trial period, residents without driveways can now benefit from the innovative Kerbo Charge system, enabling them to charge their EVs from their home supply. The council touts this system as being up to five to 10 times cheaper than using public charging stations.
Using the Kerbo Charge system is simple – residents only need to insert their charging cable into the designated channel, and a specially designed lid closes behind it, akin to a zipper, thus eliminating the potential hazard of cables strewn across footpaths.
The installation of these through-pavement charging channels is intended to make owning an EV more appealing to residents. By charging off-peak, users can enjoy rates as low as 7.5p/kWh or 7p/mile.
Councillor Stuart Gourley, Executive Member for the Environment and Highways at West Berkshire Council, expressed his enthusiasm for this groundbreaking solution, stating:
“We are thrilled to provide our residents with the innovative Kerbo Charge system. This not only enhances accessibility to EV ownership but also aligns with our efforts to enhance air quality and reduce carbon emissions.”
A user from Kintbury, Clare Fox, who has been utilising the Kerbo Charge system since October 2023, shared her positive experience:
“We are extremely pleased with our Kerbo Charge channel as it allows us to conveniently charge our EV at home. I highly recommend it to anyone lacking driveway parking.”
Michael Goulden, CEO and Co-founder of Kerbo Charge, added:
“This marks an incredibly exciting moment – I anticipate a surge in EV adoption by West Berkshire residents who previously lacked driveway access and were hesitant to transition from petrol/diesel vehicles.”
The installation cost for the Kerbo Charge system is £999, with residents eligible to receive a £350 discount by applying for a central government grant. The installation work is carried out by the council’s highways contractor, VolkerHighways.
Image courtesy of Kerbo Charge.