Over 20 UK councils block pavement gully chargers despite government push to cut red tape

More than 20 local authorities, including Kent, Leicester, Worcestershire, Westminster and Hackney, refuse to permit charging cable gullies that let residents charge EVs from domestic supplies at 5% VAT instead of 20% at public points. The ban affects millions among the 9.3 million UK households without off street parking, particularly in London where EV ownership and on street parking are both highest. Energy secretary Ed Miliband has pledged to slash red tape and promote gullies, yet councils cite safety, legal and parking concerns.

Why it matters: The postcode lottery undermines the business case for domestic charge point operators and gully suppliers such as Kerbo Charge, Gul-e, Pavecross and ACO, fragmenting the market for on street residential charging infrastructure. Procurement teams and charge point operators face a patchwork of local rules that complicate rollout planning and limit addressable demand in high density urban areas.