Innovative electric vehicle home charging trial launched
An electric vehicle home charging trial using innovative gully channels has launched in Wales.
Carmarthenshire County Council is launching a multi-site trial of its preferred electric vehicle (EV) home charging solution, aimed at enabling residents without off-street parking to charge their EVs at home.
The trial follows an extensive study conducted in 2023, which included input from EV users, various council departments, and key disability groups, such as those representing the blind and wheelchair users.
Dragon’s Den
The trial utilises the Kerbo Charge gully system—a product featured on the Dragons’ Den TV programme— which conceals charging cables in channels embedded in the pavement, preventing the need for trailing cables across public pathways.
This system offers a safe, convenient, and practical solution for residents without driveways to charge their EVs at home.
The first two trial sites were installed in September, with the remaining sites expected to be completed by the end of October.
Up to 10 locations will be included in this phase of the trial, making Carmarthenshire County Council the first in Wales to carry out trials at multiple sites simultaneously.
Scalable
The data and feedback gathered will provide valuable insights into how scalable these solutions are for wider adoption across Wales.
The project is funded by the Welsh Government through Transport for Wales, using the Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Transformation Fund (ULEVTF), a ring-fenced grant specifically for EV infrastructure.
The Council is also exploring further funding opportunities to extend the project and potentially test additional on-street charging options.
Cllr Edward Thomas, Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure Services, said: “We are excited to expand the availability of electric vehicle charging solutions to more residents across Carmarthenshire.
“This trial is a key part of our efforts to make EV adoption easier and more accessible to those without off-street parking, and we’re looking forward to seeing the impact across multiple sites.”
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Gully’s and ducts have been used for decades in many industries to safely cable places, temporary and permanent use, that is put the cables in and remove same day or for a week etc. or leave in place. This is not a new thing, just surprised it took so long. Mats over cables are dangerous.
I’ve always wondered why you don’t see electrically assisted pushchairs more often.
Be alright until one night with no moon and if like our street no lights after midnight, the cable will be found some days later in local scrapyard.
Some years ago whilst working on a housing envelope scheme in valleys we used similar measures when putting temporary supplies into each empty property, supplies lasted just over a week
Great if you can park outside your house every time, but we know that’s not always the case.
Where does this cable go when someone’s not stealing your electric
Design it right and the cable lifts out to be stowed safely. No idea what system the council has bought but used many designs over the years, easiest was a hinged lid. You just kick them back down after. Of course the channel can fill with crud but its better than a trip hazard..
This will be fun for neighbour disputes. “It’s MY space not yours”.
How long are the cables, because parking near your house is not possible for all. Lucky if our only car gets within 100m some days