Find out how Rose and William Gee made the switch to an electric vehicle (EV) by exploring new ways to charge with support from the Scheme and their local council.
For many people switching to an EV, being able to charge the car at home is an important consideration. Usually, home EV charging is only available for those with access to off-street parking. But for Rose and William Gee, a local trial involving a cross-pavement charging solution meant they could charge their EV at home, even without a driveway.
Here, they share the benefits they’ve seen since going electric and their advice for anyone thinking about an EV on the Motability Scheme.
What inspired the switch to electric
The idea of going electric first came from Rose and William’s son. He already had an EV on the Motability Scheme and spoke very highly of it. “He kept telling us how cheap it was to run and how convenient it was,” Rose says. “That really got us thinking about making the switch.”
They also liked the idea of saving money and being more comfortable. “We’d had a hybrid before, which helped with costs,” William says. “But it was too low down and uncomfortable for Rose. We needed something higher and electric felt like the right move.”
But once their EV arrived, they were surprised by how much it improved their day-to-day life.
“Going electric has changed the way we drive,” says Rose. “Our Hyundai Ioniq 5 is incredibly responsive, you just touch the pedal and you’re off. It feels futuristic, like a spaceship.” For Rose and William, who previously drove a hybrid Toyota Corolla estate, the switch was not just for something new. It was about comfort and convenience.
“It’s perfect for everyday life,” William adds. “It’s got lane assist, adaptive cruise control and we can even heat the seats and steering wheel from our phone by pre-conditioning. That’s been great on cold mornings.”
Thanks to an EV specific tariff, the pair have been able to save money by switching too. “Charging at home costs us about £7 overnight for a range of about 300 miles,” William says. “Our previous car used to do about 400 miles and cost us £45 to fill up.”
The Hyundai Ioniq 5
Doing the research
Choosing the right EV took time. “William spent months looking into different cars,” Rose says. “We read loads of reviews, visited dealers, and even went to the Motability Scheme Live in Birmingham. That’s where we found out about tariffs and home charging.”
“In the end, the Ioniq 5 ticked all the boxes,” says William. “It had the right height, lots of boot space, and all the comfort features we were after.”
He had also started looking into charging options sometime before their previous lease ended. “I wanted to get the wheels in motion, find out what’s going on,” he says.
Charging at home when you park on-street: what to know
To charge an EV at home, a home chargepoint must be fitted near to where the car is parked. Usually, home chargepoints are only allowed for homes with off-street parking, such as a driveway, because cables which cross pavements can create trip hazards for pedestrians.
Cable channels are a new kind of product which can be installed into the pavement to safely hold the cable without causing these risks. Cable channels must be installed in addition to a home chargepoint and at an additional cost.
To have a cable channel installed you must:
- Live in a local authority which approves the use of cable channels
- Apply for planning permission for the installation of the home chargepoint
- Apply to the local authority and pay for the installation of the cable channel in the pavement
Cable channels are not yet widely permitted, but a handful of local authorities do already offer them. Find out if you live in one of these areas at the bottom of this article.
There are a few different brands of cable channels, including Charge Gully, Kerbo Charge, and Gul-e-, the type that the Gees have.
Cable channels can be installed into the pavement to safely hold a charging cable
Running the cable through the pavement avoids a trip hazard for pedestrians
Worth the wait
The process was long and difficult in places but once they got the permission for a Gul-e, the installation was quick. “It only took about an hour to get the Gul-e set up after the home chargepoint was installed,” says William. “Now we can charge at home just like anyone else.”
“It took a while to get it all sorted,” Rose says, “but it really was worth the effort. Charging at home is so easy now.”
How the Scheme helped
Like many people without a driveway, Rose and William were unsure if they could go electric. “We weren’t sure if we could get a charger, so we thought we’d have to choose a hybrid again,” says Rose. “We just did not know how we’d charge a full EV at home.”
Things changed when they heard about Oxfordshire County Council’s Gul-e scheme: a pilot that offers cross-pavement charging. “They explained how it works and said they’d cover the cost,” says Rose. “That changed everything. Suddenly it felt possible.”
But getting the solution in place was not easy. “We were passed between three different councils and the housing association,” says William. “One said we’d need a £1,000 surveyor. Another sent planning forms asking about trees and building work, nothing to do with installing a charger.”
What we learned from public charging
Before the Gul-e was ready, Rose and William relied on public charging. “It was a bit of trial and error at first,” Rose laughs. “One charger even got stuck in the car! But we learned quickly.”
Their advice? “Get to know the apps and the tariffs,” says William. “Public charging can work well, but home charging is easier and cheaper.”
What we’d tell other Scheme customers
If you’re thinking about getting an EV and want to be able to charge at home but do not have off-street parking, Rose and William have some simple advice: “Speak to your local council first, see what might be possible. Once the cross-pavement Gul-e is in, it’s really easy to use. People walk past without even noticing it.”
“If you can get a home charger, go for it,” Rose adds. “It makes having an EV even more useful and much less hassle.”
William Gee says the process of getting a Gul-e installed was worth the wait
Why our EV matters so much
For Rose and William, their Motability Scheme car is more than just a way to get around, it’s a lifeline. “Without it, we’d be stuck at home,” says Rose. “We need it for visiting family, getting to appointments and doing the shopping.”
At first, some friends and family were unsure about them switching to electric. “Now they’ve seen how easy and affordable it is, they’ve changed their minds,” says Rose. “Even one of our sons, he’s a mechanic and didn’t like EVs, now says it’s a great solution.”
For Rose and William, switching to an EV on the Motability Scheme has been one of the best choices they’ve made. As Rose says, “If someone’s thinking about getting an electric car on the Scheme, I’d definitely recommend it.”
Want to explore cross pavement charging too?
If you want to get a home chargepoint as part of your EV lease package but do not have a driveway, check with your local council to see if they allow cable channels and what permissions you’ll need.
The following councils already offer cable channels- click the links to find out how to begin the application process.
- Blackburn with Darwen
- Cornwall Council
- Hartlepool Borough Council
- Northumberland County Council
- West Berkshire Council
Many other councils are planning trials and considering approving cable channel products, so make sure to check with your council to see what their policy is.
We’re always looking at ways we can support our customers with the transition to an EV.
If you live in a council where you currently cannot get cross pavement charging but want to be a part of any trials that start in your area, sign up using our form, and we’ll contact you if we hear any new trials opening in your local area.
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