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The delivery of what is believed to be the UK’s largest programme of electric vehicle (EV) cable channel charging installations for homes without off-street parking has moved a step closer.

ODS, the company behind the innovative Gul-e cross-pavement charging solution, has been awarded a contract by Oxfordshire County Council to deliver up to 500 cross-pavement EV charging installations.

The project will see Gul-e units installed across Oxfordshire’s residential streets, enabling safe, trip-free charging directly from people’s homes to parked electric vehicles at the kerbside.

Councillor Ben Higgins, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Future Economy and Innovation, said: “This is a significant landmark in this programme, which is part of a wider £4.3 million government backed project to increase the number of EV chargers in the county.

“We’re excited to work with ODS in making EV ownership a reality for hundreds more Oxfordshire residents. A third of Oxfordshire householders don’t have off street parking, so this could be a real game changer and give residents the confidence to switch to an EV by being able to access home electricity rates.”

Simon Howick, ODS Managing Director, said: “This is a fantastic milestone for ODS and Gul-e. Securing the UK’s largest cross-pavement charging tender is a huge vote of confidence in our solution and our team.

“More importantly, it proves that cross-pavement technology like Gul-e is both viable and scalable and can play a significant role in decarbonising local transport networks.”

Applications were opened in July, with residents applying through the county council’s website to take part in the project. Applications are still open, and each site will be assessed for safety and suitability in line with the council’s criteria.

Approved sites will be recorded and marked by the council for a Gul-e installation. Residents will then be responsible for installing a compliant home EV charger.

Summertown resident Guy Hargreaves, who took part in a similar but smaller Gul-e trial in 2022, said: “My EV charging cable channel works so brilliantly that I can’t find a single fault in the product. I would recommend it to all EV and prospective EV owners who only have on-street parking adjacent to their properties without the slightest hesitation.”

The project benefits from a £700,000 government grant. The funding will significantly reduce the cost of the EV charging cable channel and its installation for the successful applicants.

ODS will supply and install Gul-e cable channels at the approved sites, ensuring they meet the required specifications and standards. The company will carry out biannual inspections in line with highways maintenance procedures and provide routine and responsive maintenance.

The programme will serve as a national model for other local authorities seeking cost-effective, accessible ways to support EV adoption for households without driveways, demonstrating how local innovation can drive the UK’s journey to net zero.

The Gul-e project is part of a wider county programme that will see at least 1,200 public EV chargers installed by the end of 2027 as part of Oxfordshire’s local EV infrastructure funding, announced by the government in 2024.

Ends

For more information about this release contact Oxfordshire County Council’s communications team on 01865 323870 or email press.office@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Notes to editors:

• Gul-e was developed and manufactured by ODS in Oxford.
• Gul-e is a UK leader in innovative EV infrastructure solutions, providing safe and accessible charging for households without off-street parking. Its signature cross-pavement EV cable channel allows residents to run charging cables from home to vehicle without obstructing footways.
• The project aligns with government LEVI and cross-pavement EV charging funding objectives.

Marc Evans

Communications and Media Officer

Oxfordshire County Council