With an estimated 6.6 million households without access to off-street parking, convenient at-home charging remains a barrier to EV adoption for residents throughout the U.K.
Many EV users look to take advantage of night-time tariffs. However, the problems created when running electric car charging cables across the pavement are only exacerbated at night time. It’s not only a nuisance, it’s also a serious trip hazard for pedestrians whilst limiting access for pushchair, mobility and wheelchair users. Even in bright sunshine, the hazards remain. Up-and-down the country, councils and housing developers are attempting to address this issue and several possible solutions have appeared on the market. The most promising is Gul-e – a pavement channel designed and engineered by ODS in collaboration with Oxfordshire County Council.
Gul-e is the result of years of research, development and continuous iteration. As a LATCo, ODS manages projects on behalf of Oxford City Council along with many housing developers, educational, and public institutions, as well as other local authorities. It’s through direct, practical experience that Gul-e was developed – with an understanding of the technical, legislative and logistical issues at play.
Gul-e features a heavy-duty construction, designed to withstand the rigours of continuous weather exposure and footfall. It securely anchors into the pavement, providing a flush fit and a non-slip face plate. Its design allows for complete water run-off – with rain directed into the gutter.
The charging cable can be easily fed into the channel from a charging point located at the resident’s property. The integrated brush prevents debris falling into the gully whilst allowing easy cable entry. Pedestrians can walk freely over Gul-e with little risk of tripping over.
Across the U.K, Local Authorities and housing developers are trialling Gul-e with a view for full roll-out in the coming months. ODS is working with Highway and Sustainability Officers to identify opportunities and build out trial projects.