Reading residents who do not have a driveway can now apply for a new scheme that helps them charge electric vehicles at home by installing special cable channels across the pavement. Reading Borough Council has received £202,000 in government funding to subsidise the installation of these channels for up to 400 households, aiming to remove a major barrier for those without off-street parking.
Almost half of the households in Reading currently lack off-street parking, which often makes transitioning to an electric vehicle difficult. These new channels, delivered through a company called Kerbo Charge, allow charging cables to safely cross public footpaths, ensuring residents can power their vehicles directly from their homes.
The funding for this initiative comes from the UK Government, as part of a national programme to support electric vehicle infrastructure. In addition to this project, the council has previously secured £866,000 in separate funding to work toward installing approximately 2,620 public charging points across the town, as part of its ongoing efforts to reach a net zero carbon target by 2030.
For those looking to switch to an electric vehicle, there is further support available starting 1 April 2026. Residents will be able to claim up to £500 off the cost of their home charger through a new government grant, an increase from the previous maximum of £350.
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