Brent Council is set to trial a new electric vehicle charging system designed to make owning an EV more affordable and convenient for residents without driveways or garages.
Cabinet members approved the scheme this week, paving the way for a government-funded pilot that will assess whether pavement charging channels provide a safe and practical way for residents to charge their vehicles from home.
The £169,000 trial will test channels that allow charging cables to run beneath the pavement surface, reducing trip hazards while enabling on-street charging.
If the pilot proves successful, the council plans to expand the scheme to more locations across the borough.
The project will focus primarily on Blue Badge holders, many of whom rely on private vehicles because of mobility needs, although other residents will also be able to register their interest in taking part. Brent Council said the trial would help determine whether the technology offers good value and can be safely introduced on a wider scale.
Cabinet Member for Cleaner Streets, Transport and Public Realm, Cllr Promise Knight, said the initiative would help the authority understand whether another charging option could work effectively for local residents. He added that petrol and diesel vehicles account for around 22 % of emissions in Brent and that improving access to affordable charging would support the borough’s transition to cleaner transport.
The council also highlighted the cost difference between public and home charging, noting that electricity used at public charging points attracts 20 per cent VAT, compared with five per cent for domestic electricity, making home charging significantly cheaper.
Officials said reducing this financial barrier could encourage more residents to switch to electric vehicles.
Early findings from the pilot will be reviewed after six months. If successful, the remaining government funding will be used to expand the trial before a final decision is made after 12 months on whether to introduce the scheme more widely.
Harlesden cllr Matt Kelcher welcomed the proposal, saying many homes in his ward lack driveways, making alternative charging options particularly important.
Council leader Muhammed Butt also backed the project, saying making the transition to electric vehicles as straightforward as possible was a positive step for residents.
