UK start-up Kerbo Charge has announced the rollout of its self-closing cable channel for electric car owners.
The company said it solves the problem of how to charge an electric vehicle (EV) for homes without driveways and will typically save customers £1,439 a year compared to solely using fast public chargers.
Kerbo Charge said an estimated 40% of the UK population do not have access to a driveway, meaning that EV owners either need to trail a cable over the pavement in the front of their house - creating a trip hazard - or use public chargers, which typically cost around £23 more per charge than topping up at home.
The company said its Kerbo Charge channel includes a self-closing lid that snaps down shut as the cable is inserted and removed.
It has also been built to contour with the surface of the pavement, meaning it will sit flush with the pavement surface and its shallow form factor allows for quick installation by council engineers as there is no need to cut below the top tarmac layer of the pavement, Kerbo Charge said.
Michael Goulden, co-founder at Kerbo Charge, said: “We developed this product in partnership with local authorities - the critical design requirements are the ability to flex with uneven pavement surfaces, be easy to install and to be safe for all foot traffic.
"We also offer cashback incentives for customers who share their charge point with other members of their community.”
Milton Keynes is the first city to receive public installations of the new solution, with additional local authority partnerships planned for the rest of the UK.
Councillor Jennifer Wilson-Marklew, Milton Keynes City Council cabinet member for climate action and sustainability, said: “This is an innovative and exciting trial which could encourage people to make the switch to electric.
“We’re constantly looking for ways to both improve charging facilities and to give people the confidence that they will be able to charge their cars.”
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Jessica is event and digital content co-ordinator for all our events.
She was the web producer at Fleet News, Commercial Fleet and Smart Transport until April 2023.
She started her career as a content writer for a digital marketing agency that specialised in financial services, where she worked for more than two years.
Jessica was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Multimedia Journalism in 2017.
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