Electric charging over the sidewalk

The pilot project "Electric charging on the sidewalk" was launched in the summer of 2025. This trial gives participants the opportunity to conveniently charge their electric cars in front of their own front doors. They can do this using their own mains connection, even if they do not have their own driveway. After a year, the municipality hopes to be able to assess whether electric charging in this way is desirable. To participate, residents had to Requirements a number Requirements .

What does the trial involve?

The trial involves allowing electric car owners to charge their vehicles via an extended private connection (VPA). This means that the charging cable is laid from one's home across public space, such as the sidewalk, to charge the car in a public parking space. Currently, the use of a VPA is not allowed under the General Ordinance because it can impede passage on public roads.

Purpose of the trial

The municipality is conducting this trial because several residents with solar panels but without their own driveway have asked if they can charge their cars from their homes. The trial should provide insight into the social and spatial consequences of allowing VPA's. During the one-year trial period, only participants will be allowed to charge their cars via a VPA. The use of a cable mat or cable duct is mandatory. The cable must never be laid 'exposed' in public spaces (on the sidewalk). The municipality will provide the cable mat and cable duct to the participants in the pilot. The cable duct will be installed by the municipality in the sidewalk at the participant's home.

After the trial

The trial started on July 1, 2025, and will last for one year. The municipality reserves the right to extend the trial period by one year. After the trial period, an evaluation will be conducted to decide whether charging via an extended private connection (VPA) will be permanently permitted. Both participants and local residents will be asked for their opinion to assess whether this is desirable. Until a final decision has been made, only trial participants will be allowed to continue using a VPA. 

Below are the frequently asked questions. Is your question not listed? Contact us at the e-mail address nl or by phone 14 0181.

Can the charging cable be laid across the sidewalk like this during the trial?

No, there are strict Requirements attached to this. Only participants in the trial will be allowed to charge their electric car via a VPA in a public parking space near their home during the trial period. This requires the mandatory use of a cable mat or cable tray. The cable may never be laid "exposed" in the public space (over the sidewalk). The municipality itself provides the cable mat and cable tray to the participants of the pilot. The cable tray will be installed by the municipality in the sidewalk at the participant's house.

May a test participant use their own cable mat, cable tray or other means to run the charging cable concealed across the public road?

No, it is not allowed. This is because the municipality has requirements for the mat and gutter to maximize safety in use. Therefore, it provides these itself. The cable tray is installed by the municipality. A resident is not allowed to install a cable tray in the public road (the sidewalk) himself. A means other than a cable mat or cable tray to route the charging cable is not permitted.   

I don't want to participate in the trial. Can I still use a VPA to charge my electric car in a public parking spot near my home?

No, this is not allowed. In that case, you must use the municipality's public charging network. 

Is there a cost for participating in the trial?

Costs to participants may include the charging cable and modifications in/to the building to allow private car charging. The municipality will not reimburse any costs. However, the municipality will provide the cable mat or cable channel to the participants of the trial free of charge. The cable tray will also be installed by the municipality free of charge.
 

At the end of the trial, must the trial participant still pay the cost of the cable mat or (construction) cable tray?

No, for participants in the trial, it remains free of charge at all times.

Did everyone participate in the trial, or were there selection criteria?

There are a number of Requirements to participate in the trial. The following selection criteria have been established: 

  • The petitioner is a resident of the municipality of Voorne aan Zee.
  • The petitioner owns at least one electric or hybrid car.
  • The petitioner uses public parking facilities and does not have private on-site parking;
  • There is only a sidewalk between the petitioner's building and the proposed public parking lot where loading will soon occur. No bike lane, greenway, highway or other public space other than a sidewalk will be bridged with the VPA.
  • The building in which the petitioner's private grid connection is located has solar panels, which contribute to its own power supply.
  • The power supply in the petitioner's building is arranged to ensure safe charging.
  • The petitioner shall have a charging cable at the start of the implementation period.
  • The petitioner submits the participation request during the application period.
  • Petitioner shall indicate preference as to whether to use a cable mat or cable tray tiles or indicate no preference. The Township will consider the preference, but reserves the right to deviate from the preference.
  • The petitioner agrees to the terms of participation in the pilot.

Residents who wish to participate in the trial submit a participation request to the municipality.

Are there any other Requirements a trial participant should consider?

Yes. Participants have agreed to the following Requirements:

  • You submit a participation request for up to one VPA at your address.
  • You will cooperate with the municipality's survey for the entire one-year trial period. This means you will complete about three questionnaires about your VPA use.
  • Your neighbors will be notified by the municipality of the temporary presence of a VPA in the street. They will also be invited to participate in the survey with a neighborhood questionnaire.
  • If you need to terminate your pilot participation early, such as due to relocation, contact the municipality about this.
  • You should always use either a cable mat or cable tray tiles during loading. The municipality will purchase these and deliver them to you. The gutter tiles will be placed in the sidewalk at your place by the municipality.
  • You must keep the cable mat or cable tray tiles clean and visible so that they do not become an obstruction or safety risk to passers-by. Damage should be reported to the municipality.
    Improper use of the equipment which increases the safety risk can lead to liability of the participant if an accident occurs.
  • You are responsible for providing a dedicated charging station for the electric car on your own property and a proper charging cable. Both must comply with the safety requirements observed by you and your supplier. The presence of the charge point and charging cable can be checked prior to and during the implementation period of the pilot.  
  • Using a VPA does not entitle you to more public parking than someone without a VPA. Thus, you may not claim a public parking space.
  • You obey the traffic rules.
  • You comply with the rules and regulations for the use of the VPA set forth in the waiver issued to you.  
  • You will adhere to the set Requirements throughout the duration of the pilot, including possible extension, up to and including the decision on whether to officially allow VPAs in the municipality.
  • The cost of the charging cable and the cost of establishing or modifying the power supply in/on the participant's building to enable private car charging will not be reimbursed by the municipality, even if the use of VPAs is not allowed after the pilot.
  • If you do not own your home or residence and want to make modifications to the building to participate in the pilot, please contact your landlord about this first. 
     
Does this trial also apply to charging an electric bike or scooter?

No, only for charging an electric car. Charging an electric bicycle or scooter must be on private property.