Cornwall (UK) has taken a significant step towards a greener future with the installation of its first electric vehicle charging cable channel in Wadebridge. The innovative solution is set to transform how EV owners without off-road parking charge their vehicles.

Marcus, a Wadebridge resident, has become the first in Cornwall to benefit from the Kerbo Charge channel, a sleek and practical system designed to be embedded into the pavement. The channel allows a charging cable to pass safely from house to car, leaving the walkway surface flush and clear while the car charges. This advancement is particularly crucial for those living in terraced houses or properties without driveways, who previously faced significant challenges in accessing affordable EV charging options.

Expensive public charge points

For Marcus, the installation of the Kerbo Charge channel marks the end of his reliance on expensive public charging points or the risky practice of laying a cable across the pavement. “This cable channel means I can now safely and conveniently charge my car at home. It will save a lot of money compared with filling up at public charge points,” Marcus said.

The journey to this milestone was far from straightforward. When Marcus first approached Cornwall Council about installing a cable channel, the response was initially dismissive due to the complexity of setting up a new licensing procedure involving multiple parties. However, Marcus was undeterred. He contacted Kerbo Charge, borrowed a demo unit, and tirelessly promoted the idea at local events. His efforts eventually paid off, leading to the necessary approvals and the successful installation of the channel. “It was clear that if Cornwall wants to reach its climate goals, there needs to be an electric vehicle charging solution for people who don’t have driveways,” Marcus explained. “No matter how many public charge points are installed in Cornwall, there will never be enough for everyone once most cars are electric.”

Kerbo Charge

Kerbo Charge, founded in 2021, emerged from a shared frustration with the difficulties of charging electric vehicles at home, especially in crowded urban areas like London. The company’s innovative product is a slim and flexible polymer channel with a self-closing lid, designed to be installed into the pavement outside a resident’s home. This allows EV owners to safely run a charging cable from their home to their car without obstructing the walkway.

The channel’s design is both simple and effective. The self-closing lid sits flush with the pavement, snapping shut around the charging cable as it is inserted and removed. This ensures that the pavement remains safe and accessible to pedestrians while allowing EV owners without off-road parking to conveniently charge their vehicles at home.

Kerbo Charge has ambitious plans, aiming to capture a 75% market share of the cable channel market by 2026 and expand its operations to at least five other countries.

Financial benefits

Aside from the convenience, charging an EV at home using the Kerbo Charge channel offers substantial financial benefits. Public charging can cost up to 79 pence per unit of electricity, with a full charge for a standard electric hatchback amounting to around 30 pounds. In contrast, charging the same car overnight at home on a smart tariff could reduce the cost to as little as 2.80 pounds —less than 2 penceper mile. For someone driving 300 miles weekly, this could result in savings of nearly 250 pounds per month. “Electric vehicles should be for everyone, not just those lucky enough to have a house with a driveway. Everyone should be able to access the huge monthly savings that driving an EV offers,” Marcus said, highlighting the broader impact of this new charging solution.

Marcus’s efforts have not only brought a practical solution to his own doorstep but have also paved the way for other Cornwall residents to make the switch to electric vehicles. With the support of Cornwall Council and Cormac, the first EV charging cable channel is now in place, with many more expected to follow across the county.