An innovative solution to a significant hurdle in electric vehicle (EV) ownership — charging without a driveway — is being trialed in Melbourne, Australia. Up to 20 residents of Merri-bek, located in Melbourne’s inner north, will participate in a new trial of boom-mounted EV chargers. These chargers are designed to enable residents to charge their cars from home without the need for dangerous cables across public footpaths.
Across Australia, the lack of off-street parking is a major barrier for those looking to switch to electric vehicles. This issue leaves many drivers struggling to find safe and convenient ways to charge their vehicles overnight. The project, green-lit by Merri-bek City Council, covers notable suburbs such as Brunswick, Coburg, and Pascoe Vale, and is in collaboration with Vehicles Charging Solutions Australia (VCSA), the company behind the retractable boom technology.
Merri-bek City Council Mayor Helen Davidson expressed hope that the trial will be transformative for residents eager to charge their EVs at home. “We are excited to partner with Merri-bek-based start-up Vehicle Charging Solutions Australia (VCSA) to trial a home-to-street boom-mounted charging solution for electric vehicles at people’s homes,” she stated. “Council regularly receives enquiries from residents who would like to charge their car at home but don’t have off-street parking, such as a driveway. The home-to-street boom-mounted charging solution could remove this barrier to EV ownership for some Merri-bek residents. We look forward to trialling this innovative solution and hearing participants’ feedback.”
How the Trial for the EV Boom Charger Will Work
Since the trial commenced in September, the council has reported significant interest and is confident that all 20 spots will be filled. In the coming weeks, VCSA and council officers will conduct site visits before installations, which are expected to occur in November and December.
According to Merri-bek officials, many locals have expressed frustration at the inability to transition to electric vehicles due to the lack of off-street parking. The demand for public chargers has surged, with over 100 charging sessions occurring daily across the council’s network. In response, the council has commissioned the trial of the retractable boom charger, a slim metal arm that extends from a post in the front garden, arching over the footpath to suspend a charging cable safely above head height to the car parked on the street.
The pole setup keeps footpaths clear, eliminating the need for underground cabling or hazardous cords across pavements. It can reportedly be installed faster and more cheaply than traditional chargers. The boom and post system costs between $2,000 and $3,000, which includes the equipment, installation, and a 15-meter charging cable. Participants will bear the cost of the charger and boom, while VCSA will manage installation and ongoing maintenance.
Addressing Broader Challenges in EV Adoption
EV charger installation costs vary widely, from around $1,000 for a simple home wall unit to several thousand dollars for street-side or public chargers, where trenching, cabling, and council permits can quickly escalate expenses. Running a charging cable across a public footpath is generally prohibited by councils due to safety risks, making the boom-mounted system a more compliant and viable option for residents without driveways.
This issue is not unique to Victoria. Data indicates it was one of the “top issues” raised with the community reporting app Snap Send Solve last year. “As the popularity of EVs has grown, and with it, the availability of exclusive EV parking spots, we’ve seen an increasing number of reports of ICE cars parking illegally in EV-designated spots,” CEO Danny Gorog previously told Yahoo.
Looking Ahead: The Future of EV Charging Solutions
To join the trial, Merri-bek residents can register their interest, but there are conditions. Applicants must own the property, lack off-street parking, and not be located within a Heritage Overlay area. If successful, the system could be revolutionary for city residents across Australia, where dense housing and limited parking have long been seen as significant barriers to EV adoption.
VCSA aims to expand the technology to other councils, contingent upon securing local government and safety regulator approvals. Once achieved, installations could roll out widely across suburban streets. Merri-bek was the first council in Victoria to install a public fast charger in 2013 and has since added 22 public chargers, plus 12 more at council sites. Trial participants will need a permit from the council, as mandated by the Road Management Act, to ensure public safety requirements are met.
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