Key facts
- Council scheme
- The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) handles requests for permanent pavement channels through its Street Works Licence process, and residents can apply online. DfI has also piloted a lower-cost temporary cable protector for six months.
- Cross-pavement policy
- Allowed region-wide with a DfI Street Works Licence. Unlike England, Scotland and Wales, there's no council-by-council approval.
Charging an EV in Northern Ireland without a driveway
Northern Ireland has a big advantage: the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is responsible for every public footway, so it can approve pavement charging channels across the whole region. In England, Scotland and Wales, each council decides for itself.
That opened up home charging for an estimated 500,000 people in Northern Ireland with on-street parking.
Your two options
- A permanent pavement channel – a flush channel set into the footway, approved through DfI's Street Works Licence process. You can apply online.
- A temporary cable protector – DfI ran a six-month pilot of a cheaper, temporary cover for charging cables.
Good to know
- The 21 October 2026 planning changes apply to England only, not Northern Ireland.
- A channel doesn't reserve the parking space outside your home.
Check the Department for Infrastructure website for the current application process.
Related: How to charge an electric car without a driveway · Pavement charging rules in Scotland, Wales and NI · All council guides
Frequently asked questions
Last updated 16 October 2026