Check your council’s EV charging guidance in three steps
EV Council Check helps UK residents understand their local council’s published position on cross-pavement electric vehicle charging.
Search for your council, review the available policy information and follow the linked official guidance before purchasing equipment, applying for permission or arranging installation.
Search for your council
Enter the name of your local council in the Council Checker. You can also search using common shortened or alternative council names.
Review the policy status
See whether the council requires permission, operates a pilot scheme, does not currently allow the solution or has no clearly published policy.
Check the official source
Open the linked council guidance and confirm the latest requirements before buying equipment or arranging any work.
What the council policy statuses mean
Council records are placed into clear categories based on the official information available when the record was reviewed.
Permission required
The council has an approval, licence or application process that residents must complete before installing or using an approved cross-pavement solution.
Pilot scheme
The council is testing or developing a limited scheme. Participation may be restricted by location, eligibility, funding, application dates or available spaces.
Not currently allowed
The council’s published guidance does not currently permit the relevant cross-pavement charging solution.
Unclear / research pending
We have not found enough current official information to confirm the council’s position. Residents should contact the council before taking action.
What to check before taking the next step
A council’s general policy status is only the starting point. Individual properties and streets may still need to meet additional highway, parking, safety and planning requirements.
Property eligibility
Check whether the scheme is limited to homes without off-street parking or properties in a specific area.
Highway suitability
The pavement width, parking layout, road restrictions, trees and street furniture may affect eligibility.
Applications and licences
An application, site assessment, payment, insurance or Section 178 highway licence may be required.
Current official guidance
Always open the council source because scheme dates, costs, suppliers and eligibility rules may change.
How we check council information
We review official council websites, highway guidance, application pages, licensing information, cabinet reports, consultations and published trial announcements.
Each reviewed record includes an official source and a last-reviewed date. Older information can then be identified for another check.
- Official council and highway-authority sources are prioritised.
- Active schemes are separated from planned or limited trials.
- Important eligibility, installation and licensing conditions are recorded.
- Commercial supplier claims are not treated as proof of council approval.
- Records are corrected when new official information becomes available.
Important information
EV Council Check is an independent information service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or operated by any UK council or government body.
Council policies and highway requirements may change. Always confirm the current position with your council before purchasing equipment, running a cable across a pavement or arranging installation.
Before using the Council Checker
Does permission guarantee a parking space?
No. An approved channel or licence normally does not reserve the parking space outside your property.
Can I install a channel myself?
Do not excavate or alter a public pavement independently. Highway work normally requires council approval and an authorised installation process.
Can I use a temporary cable cover?
Policies differ. Some councils prohibit temporary covers, while others may allow them only through a permission process.
What should I do when the result is unclear?
Contact the council’s highways or transport team and ask whether cross-pavement home EV charging is currently permitted.
Check your council before you install or plan
Search the UK council database and review the available official policy information for your area.
Check my council