Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has opened a six-month pilot that will let residents without driveways run an electric-vehicle (EV) charging cable safely across the pavement outside their homes. By tackling one of the biggest barriers to EV ownership for terraced and apartment dwellers, the scheme could broaden access to cheaper overnight electricity tariffs and support the inclusion targets set out in the Climate Change Act (NI) 2022.
With around a third of Northern Ireland households lacking off-street parking, the initiative is likely to interest anyone who wants an EV but is deterred by the cost or inconvenience of public chargers. If the trial proves workable, it could become a template for local councils and utilities across the region.
The Two Pavement-Crossing Options
Participants will test one of two solutions:
- Engineered channel – contractors excavate a shallow groove from the property boundary to the kerb. A hinged or sliding cover lets the cable be inserted when charging and closed when not in use.
- Temporary cable protector – a removable ramp or cover is laid over the cable each time the vehicle is plugged in. This option forms part of a “rolling” pilot, allowing the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) to tweak specifications as feedback comes in.
Both methods must be licensed under DfI’s existing Street Works process, which regulates anything installed on public footways.
How to Take Part
Property owners interested in trialling either approach have been asked to email the Transport Decarbonisation Unit at [email protected]. The pilot will operate for six months, during which officials will gather data on safety, accessibility for pedestrians—especially wheelchair users—and durability under Northern Ireland’s weather conditions.
What We Still Do Not Know
- The announcement does not specify how many households will be accepted, what geographic spread is expected, or whether selection will prioritise areas with limited public charging.
- No budget figure is provided, and it is unclear whether participants will bear installation costs or receive financial support.
- The criteria for judging success—such as accident rates, maintenance costs or user satisfaction—have not been published.
- There is no mention of engagement with disability organisations, despite the potential impact on footway accessibility.
Broader Context and Related Issues
Northern Ireland currently has one of the lowest public-charger densities in the UK (around 20 chargers per 100,000 people, according to the Department for Transport’s April 2025 statistics). Home charging therefore remains crucial. That said, pavement channels are only one piece of the puzzle. Local councils are also exploring lamp-post chargers, car-club expansion and workplace schemes. Integrating these approaches—and ensuring they do not compete for the same limited funding—will be essential.
The pilot arrives just weeks after the Executive confirmed its 2030 target of at least 200,000 EVs on Northern Ireland’s roads. Without accessible charging for terraced housing, reaching that goal could be difficult. However, footway modifications must also meet Public Realm design standards and avoid creating new trip hazards, particularly for visually impaired pedestrians. Balancing decarbonisation with universal design principles will be key.
Questions to Consider
- How will DfI measure the impact of pavement channels on pedestrian safety and accessibility?
- Will installation costs be subsidised, and if so, from which budget line?
- Could a successful pilot be scaled rapidly, given that different councils manage their own footways?
- How does this approach sit alongside other charging solutions such as kerbside chargers or on-street charging hubs?
- What safeguards will ensure that low-income households—who are less likely to own driveways—are not left behind if the scheme becomes permanent?
Looking Ahead
If the pilot demonstrates that cables can cross pavements without compromising safety, the scheme could accelerate EV uptake in thousands of urban homes. Stakeholders will want to track forthcoming details on funding, selection criteria and the publication of evaluation metrics. A consultation on permanent regulatory changes is expected once the six-month data-gathering phase concludes, and residents may wish to engage early to shape the final policy.