Moray Council to support home EV charging for residents without driveways
Moray Council is set to introduce a new policy that will help residents without off-street parking charge electric vehicles safely at home, one of the first councils in Scotland to do so.
The use of cross-pavement charging infrastructure, allowing charging cables to be installed beneath public footways where suitable conditions are met, has been approved by the Economic Development and Infrastructure Services committee.
The new approach aims to improve access to home charging while preventing the safety risks associated with cables being laid across pavements. Residents will need to apply for permission to install a cable gully and will be responsible for the installation, maintenance and removal of any infrastructure through an agreement with the council, known as a Section 109 Agreement.
In-line with the existing charge for a Section 109 Agreement, a charge of £923 will apply and will include the permit for minor works (Roads Opening Permit). The charge is being introduced to cover the council's costs for processing applications, legal agreements and site inspections. Grant funding could be available for eligible residents through the Energy Savings Trust Cross-pavement charging grant.
Councillor Marc Macrae, Chair of Moray Council's Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, said: “This proposal will help more residents access the benefits of home charging, even if they do not have a driveway.
"It provides a safe solution that protects pedestrians while supporting the transition to electric vehicles. The application charge will allow the council to recover the costs of assessing applications and inspecting installations, ensuring the process is sustainable and fair."
Committee agreed that the policy will be reviewed after one year to assess how it is working and whether any changes are needed.
Full details of the policy as introduced at committee can be found here.