Enfield launch London’s first gulley-charging trial

Enfield Council has launched an Electric Vehicle charging channel pilot that will make it much easier for residents who have to park on the street to transition to electric vehicles.

There are nearly 123,000 households in Enfield and 56,288 of them have nowhere to charge their cars off-road. Furthermore, 60% are more than a five minute walk from a public charger.

The Kerbo Charge system – which recently won backing from Deborah Meaden on Dragon’s Den – involves a gulley being cut into the pavement outside homes, allowing residents to charge their EVs on the street from their own supply. They simply insert their charging cable and the specially designed self-closing lid closes behind just like a zip.

The pilot is being funded by residents and will allow them to safely charge their car from their home supply which, at as little as 7.5p/kWh, is five to ten times cheaper than public chargers, presuming they are charging off-peak.

Enfield Council is the first local authority in London to trial the innovative Kerbo Charge technology after successful rollouts in several towns and cities across the UK.

Cabinet Member for Transport and Waste at Enfield Council, Cllr Rick Jewell, said: ‘We are delighted to be working with Kerbo Charge on such a ground-breaking trial which is the first of its kind for a London borough.

‘I hope the pilot scheme is a huge success, as it will encourage those thinking of purchasing an EV to do so, as the cost-effective technology will provide residents with a safe and convenient way to charge their vehicles and contribute towards a greener Enfield.’

Local resident Chris Richmond, who is participating in the trial, said: ‘With the Kerbo Charge solution, I finally have the confidence to sell my petrol car and switch to electric.

‘It’s a game-changer for those of us who live in areas without off-street parking. Using on street public charging was making the switch difficult as the charge costs were expensive, but we can now make the most of cheaper green energy at home.’

Michael Goulden, CEO and Co-founder of Kerbo Charge, said: ‘This trial represents a significant step forward in our efforts to create greener, more sustainable cities.

‘By providing our solution to residents in Enfield, we are not only facilitating their transition to electric vehicles but also making a substantial impact on reducing air pollution and supporting Enfield Council with their aim to be a carbon neutral borough by 2040.’

If the trial proves successful, the Council plans to expand the availability of Kerbo Charge to residents throughout the borough and they are asking any residents interested to contact them.