Residents in Altrincham and across Trafford who don't have a driveway could soon be able to charge their electric cars at home using special channels installed in the pavement.
Trafford Council's Executive will consider proposals tonight for a one-year trial that would allow homeowners to install recessed charging cable channels across public footpaths, with the first 240 successful applicants receiving a £500 discount.
The scheme would be delivered in partnership with Kerbo Charge, whose system allows an electric vehicle charging cable to run through a narrow channel between a property and a parked car.
A flexible, self-closing lid sits flush with the pavement when the cable is removed, avoiding the trip hazards associated with cables trailing across footpaths.
The proposals could particularly benefit residents living in terraced properties and other homes without driveways.
According to a report prepared for Trafford Council's Executive, approximately 28% of households in the borough do not have off-street parking.
The council currently prohibits residents from running charging cables across public footpaths, even when covered by protective mats, because of safety and accessibility concerns.
However, officers say they have received increasing numbers of enquiries from residents seeking alternative charging solutions.
Under the proposed scheme, installations would normally cost £1,731.15 upfront, but a £500 government-funded discount would reduce this to £1,231.15 for the first 240 approved applicants.
A maintenance subscription of approximately £4.15 per month would also apply after the first two years.
Not every property would qualify - applications would be assessed individually, taking into account pavement width, parking restrictions, road safety and the potential impact on pedestrians.
Residents would also need appropriate public liability insurance, while an approved installation would not guarantee a parking space outside their home.
The council has secured £132,735 from the government's Office for Zero Emission Vehicles to support the initiative.
If approved tonight, the trial could begin during the third quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, subject to anticipated changes to national planning rules.
The government is expected to remove the requirement for planning permission to install electric vehicle chargers at homes without off-street parking, although the change has yet to come into force.
Once approved, installations would be carried out by Kerbo Charge, with a target completion time of approximately six weeks following payment.
