A retired mechanic from Greater Manchester has been left with no choice but to sell his electric vehicle after a prolonged dispute with Oldham Council over charging access outside his home.
David Kelsall, 63, said he felt he had no option but to part with the car due to the mounting stress of not being able to charge it safely at home.
Kelsall, a resident of Hathershaw, had hoped to charge his electric vehicle outside his property, but Oldham Council deemed that the charging cables would pose a trip hazard on the public pavement.
Despite six months of communication and discussions with the local authorities, no solution was found, and Kelsall was forced to give up his electric car.
“I was left feeling helpless and stressed to the point that it was making me ill. The cost and worry of using public charging points, combined with the fact that I didn’t feel safe doing so, led to my decision to sell the car,” Kelsall explained. “It became clear that my only option was to buy a hybrid model instead.”
The dispute centered on Oldham Council’s stance that charging cables extending onto the pavement outside Kelsall’s home could be a safety hazard for pedestrians.
The council, which has yet to provide a comment on the case, stated previously that it was awaiting national guidance on how to handle on-street electric vehicle charging in residential areas.
While Kelsall was determined to make the switch to an electric car in line with environmental goals and cost-saving incentives, the council’s refusal to grant him the ability to charge his vehicle outside his house has left him frustrated.
“This ordeal has been ongoing for far too long. It’s been a battle that has caused me a lot of stress. The lack of support for people like me—who don’t have off-street parking—is a real issue,” he added.
Kelsall expressed concerns for other electric vehicle owners in Oldham, particularly those without off-road parking options. “Anyone buying an electric vehicle in Oldham faces the same issues. It’s clear that councils need to find a way to address this if we are to make the transition to electric cars as easy as possible,” he said.
The nearest public charging station to Kelsall’s home is located three miles away, and he has previously shared his concerns about using it, citing the poor safety conditions in the area due to anti-social behaviour and his own heart condition.
The challenge of finding convenient, safe charging options is becoming a growing issue in the UK, as more drivers opt for electric vehicles in response to government pushes for greener transport options.
However, the lack of consistent infrastructure, especially in urban areas with limited off-street parking, continues to pose significant barriers to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
With the pressure of not having access to reliable charging, Kelsall ultimately decided to sell his electric car and purchase a hybrid model instead.
This decision, while necessary, came with a sense of regret. “I really wanted to make the change to electric, but the circumstances just didn’t allow it. It’s been a real setback for me,” he said.
As local authorities, including Oldham Council, wait for further guidance on electric vehicle infrastructure, the experience of residents like David Kelsall highlights the pressing need for action to support the transition to electric vehicles, especially for those without the luxury of private parking.
