Good news for EV owners - if you live in Greenwich, anyway
Greenwich council has announced an EV cross-pavement charging trial, but Lewisham is dragging its heels.
Lewisham and Greenwich local authorities have been jointly awarded £2.98m under the government’s LEVI scheme for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.
In November 2025, they went out to tender for a supplier to install public electric vehicle charging points across the two boroughs.
The grant also includes money to support cross-pavement charging solutions for residents with ground floor homes, but no drive.
The huge benefit to residents of charging an EV from home is the much lower cost of electricity on a domestic tariff than at a public point, as well as the convenience.
The firm Kerbocharge calculate that using a public charging point can cost you up to 690% more than charging your car at home.
Greenwich will trial cross-pavement charging
Greenwich council has announced its plans to make electric vehicle (EV) ownership easier, cheaper and more accessible for residents.
Its plans include new programmes to increase the number of public and residential charging points across the borough, including a trial of cross-pavement charging.
Greenwich residents are invited to register their interest in joining the trial.
Lewisham lagging behind
But Lewisham council is lagging behind. Lewisham residents have been asking for cross-pavement parking for a while.
Previously, the government offered a £350 grant toward the installation of the cross-pavement cable channel in boroughs that supported the scheme, but this has now been incorporated in the centrally funded LEVI scheme.
But Lewisham council has yet to inform residents of the LEVI scheme, and its website states: "At present, our stance on cross pavement charging cable mechanisms is that pavement gulley solutions for EV charging will not be permitted".
It mentions concerns about "safety, ownership and liability", including trip hazards and electrical risks.
But the government advice describes "safe and effective use of cross-pavement solutions" based on local authority trials, with clear benefits.
Council officer Seamus Adams told a public meeting in Telegraph Hill on 27 January 2025 that the council had looked into cross-pavement channelling and would not be going ahead, even though at the time, the government was offering home owners a £350 grant towards it.
Helps 'open up affordable charging'
However, in July 2025, Lewisham mayor Brenda Dacres, in her role as London councils’ executive member for Transport and Environment, addressed London councils, saying: “We’re serious about tackling air pollution and cutting carbon emissions in London ..
"Cross-pavement charging is a simple but powerful innovation that can help open up affordable home charging to thousands of residents.”
After this statement was pointed out to Lewisham councillors, they responded that they were applying for the government funding and would set up a trial.
However, a number of trials have already taken place across the country, and the government advice offers the case studies.
There's been no progress on this, Lewisham has yet to make an announcement or respond to residents’ request to register an interest.
In the meantime, local residents have to fight for the 230 public chargers in Lewisham and pay up to 690% more than the standard domestic energy tariff.
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