Kerbo Charge launches into North East

Self-closing kerbside charging channel Kerbo Charge has announced it is launching into the North East of England with Durham County Council.

The local authority is using the firm on a 30-property pilot to make it easier for those without driveways or off-street parking to own an electric vehicle. Other local authorities in the region were invited to see the first installation with a view to it being installed more widely following the pilot.

According to current figures, the kerbside channel will allow customers to save £1,441 a year compared to solely using rapid public chargers.

The polymer channel includes a self-closing lid that snaps down when the cable is inserted or removed, eliminating a trip hazard for the public, and contours with the surface of the pavement. Due to its shallow form, it can be installed quickly by council engineers as only the top tarmac layer needs to be cut.

If the pilot is effective, the scheme will be offered to all residents in the county with a suitable property who will be given the option to pay towards the installation. 

Cllr John Shuttleworth, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for highways, rural communities, and community safety, said: “We decided to be involved in the pilot after residents living in properties without driveways got in touch with us about seeking a solution to charge their electric vehicles. Their properties were checked for suitability before a programme of installation was planned and a contribution towards the install was agreed.

“County Durham has many terraced streets and properties without driveways. Whilst we have installed hundreds of publicly accessible electric vehicle charge points in every area in the county, this solution will allow residents to access electric vehicle charging at home, making it easier for more people to drive an electric vehicle and reduce their carbon emissions. It also supports our work as part of our Climate Emergency Response Plan where we are working towards reducing emissions across the county.”

Co-Founder of Kerbo Charge Michael Goulden said: “If you don’t have a driveway and need to use public charge points you’ll often pay more per mile than petrol – this creates a big deterrent to moving to electric for many people and puts our 2030 petrol/diesel car ban at risk. We’re on a mission to make Kerbo Charge available to every UK resident and we’re delighted to go live with the forward-thinking County Durham”

Image courtesy of Kerbo Charge

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