{"id":81484,"date":"2024-02-15T08:26:25","date_gmt":"2024-02-14T22:56:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/?p=81484"},"modified":"2024-05-15T12:20:16","modified_gmt":"2024-05-15T02:50:16","slug":"street-ev-charging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/street-ev-charging\/","title":{"rendered":"City Living With An EV: Charging Solutions for Those Without Driveways"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Power<\/p>\n

Living in the city makes it hard for electric car owners without off-street parking. It’s tough to find a place to charge, dissuading many inner city dwellers from buying electric cars.
\n<\/p>\n

Forums and social media show passionate and divided opinions about what’s acceptable for urban EV owners who need to charge on the street and the answer may well come from overseas.<\/p>\n

The Cable On The Pavement Problem<\/h2>\n

Can you roll out the cable from your home across the footpath and plug it into an electric vehicle on the street for a couple of hours or more?<\/em><\/p>\n

Sure! Plenty of of people are doing it. But see how long you last before you get a complaint from an angry neighbour or a visit from your local council ranger.<\/p>\n

Few authorities would see this as acceptable. State governments Australia-wide have legislation allowing local councils to make by-laws relating to safety and other issues on verges, crossovers, and thoroughfares on public land. Even if no such law or policy exists, a complaint would trigger the relevant department to take a look.<\/p>\n

Erring on the side of caution, only a brave council officer will expose the city to potential litigation, and some would say rightly so. It’s hard not to argue that, in most cases, this would be inconvenient for people with accessibility issues and a possible trip hazard, or worse, a dangerous electrical hazard.<\/p>\n

\"EV

You wouldn’t want to make a habit out of this sort of thing. Image: Charge Gully<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Cable Covers<\/h3>\n

Many EV owners have tried to do the right thing by running the charger cable<\/a> under a cable cover or mat and making everything highly visible and as safe as possible. Although commendable, it may not tick all the boxes that make this a viable solution. Any deviation to the height of the thoroughfare surface would still be a trip hazard for the visually impaired and challenging to navigate for prams and the like.<\/p>\n

\"EV

A cable cover over the charging cable is still a trip hazard for some people.<\/p><\/div>\n

Hanging Cables Overhead<\/h3>\n

Sorry folks, that’s a big no-no. Some inventive EV owners have provoked social media backlash by hanging cables out of windows, across trees, and on street signs, desperately trying to get an overnight charge. Unless done professionally, it will likely violate council safety policy and Australian electrical standards.<\/p>\n

\"EV

This pic has been doing the rounds over the past year, and drawing the ire of the anti-EV brigade.<\/p><\/div>\n

Don’t Try This At Home Kids<\/h3>\n