On-Street EV Charging Comes to Kingston Upon Thames with First Kerbo Charge Install

Kingston resident Richard safely charges his car from his home supply for the first time

We’re excited to share that the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames has just completed its first Kerbo Charge installation, making it possible for a local resident to charge their EV at home without a driveway.

With this first install now live, Kingston joins a growing number of councils across the UK trialling our on-street EV charging solution – the Kerbo Charge cable gully – helping residents solve one of the biggest challenges of EV ownership: charging when you have no off-street parking.

Councillor Nicola Nardelli, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Transport, commented:

“It’s great to see the first electric vehicle charging channel installed as part of our trial.
As electric cars become more and more popular, as well as taking steps to increase our on-street charge points, it’s important that we investigate innovative ways to make charging easier and more available for residents without off-street parking.”

Solving the EV charging challenge for homes without driveways

One in three homes in the UK doesn’t have access to a driveway or off-street parking. That makes EV home charging difficult – if not impossible – for millions of people.

That’s exactly the challenge Kerbo Charge solves. Our patented EV cable channel is a flush-fitting, self-closing trench installed in the pavement. It lets residents safely run a charging cable from their home to their car parked on the street, without creating a trip hazard or blocking the footpath.

The benefits of the Kerbo Charge system

Our system has been carefully designed to meet high standards of safety, quality, and accessibility. Here's what makes it unique:

✅ Safe for pedestrians – even in busy areas

• Self-closing lid: Only the section of the lid being opened at any given moment is exposed, drastically reducing trip hazards.

• Flush installation: The channel sits flush with the pavement and flexes to match curved or uneven surfaces, preventing any ridges.

• High slip resistance: Tested to EN-16165, the channel achieved a Pendulum Test Value (PTV) of 112 when dry and 55 when wet – well above the required safety threshold.

• No open slot: Unlike rigid or metal covers with permanent gaps, the Kerbo Charge lid fully closes when the cable is removed, eliminating gaps that could catch on high heels, walking sticks or mobility aids.

✅ Built to last

• Certified to BS EN 1433:2002 (C250 class): Suitable for driveways and pedestrian areas, tested by BSI in 2024.

• Manufactured in the UK: Made in a BSI ISO 9001:2015-certified facility in England

Resident Richard, pictured, said:

“"I have the first Kerbo charge channel in the borough. It won't be the last".

A growing national movement

Kingston isn’t alone. Over 600 Kerbo Charge channels have been installed across 30 UK councils, including:

• West Berkshire

• Milton Keynes

• Cornwall

• Reading

• London Borough of Enfield

And the feedback from both residents and councils has been overwhelmingly positive. In fact, more than 80% of councils that have started trialing Kerbo Charge have already gone on to place additional orders.

Designed for councils, by engineers

We’ve worked closely with local authority highways teams throughout the development of Kerbo Charge to make sure the product fits their requirements – not just residents’.

Here’s how the system helps councils meet key standards:

• Trip hazard mitigation: The self-closing lid allows the cable to sit securely below the surface during use.

• Lockable for non-compliant users: Councils can disable the system by inserting a locking block and label, making it easy to enforce licensing rules.

• Fully cleanable by residents: Channels can be easily brushed or rinsed out, just like a gutter, reducing maintenance burden for the council.

• Ultra-fast install: Only takes about one hour to install, minimising disruption and reducing costs.

Supporting the future of smart energy – and fairness

We also designed Kerbo Charge to be future-proof. Our channel can support thicker 20mm cables, allowing compatibility with emerging Vehicle-to-Home and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2X) technologies. These systems let residents use their car’s battery to power their homes or send energy back to the grid, which:

• Reduces national reliance on gas-fired power stations

• Enables smarter use of renewables

• Unlocks cheaper (or even free) EV charging tariffs

This is more than a technical feature – it’s about fairness. If we want everyone to benefit from the EV transition and smart energy future, we need to make sure charging at home when you don’t have a driveway is just as accessible as it is for those with off-street parking.

Award-winning innovation

In November 2024, Kerbo Charge was named ‘Best New Product or Technology’ at the Transport & Energy Awards. Judges recognised:

• The product’s patent-pending self-closing lid design

• Its ability to flex with uneven surfaces

• Its compliance with EN 1433 (C250 class) drainage and EN 124-1 slot width standards

• Its durability and smart functionality

The award was presented by motoring journalist and EV champion Quentin Willson.

What’s next in Kingston?

This is just the beginning for on-street EV charging in Kingston. The first install is now live, and as part of this trial, we’re inviting more local residents without driveways to apply.

If you live in Kingston and want to join the trial, you can register your interest here.

We’ll work closely with the council to review each site for suitability and, if approved, arrange a professional installation – typically completed in under an hour.

Ready to charge your EV at home – even without a driveway?

If you live in a street-parked home and you’re tired of relying on public chargers or running a cable across the pavement, Kerbo Charge is here to help.

We’re making EV home charging fairer, safer, and more accessible – starting with a small trench, and ending with a greener, more inclusive future.