Right-of-way installations are EV charger deployments placed within public land corridors reserved for transportation and utilities—such as streets, sidewalks, verges, road shoulders, and public easements—rather than on private property. In EV charging, right-of-way (ROW) installations are most commonly on-street chargers, curbside charging points, or charging infrastructure integrated into street furniture.
Because ROW space is public and shared, these installations typically require additional permitting, safety design, and coordination with local authorities and utility operators.
Why Right-of-way Installations Matter
Right-of-way installations enable charging access where private parking is limited, especially in dense urban areas:
– Support residents without off-street parking (apartments, historic districts, city centers)
– Expand public charging coverage near homes and mixed-use neighborhoods
– Help municipalities meet electrification targets and reduce curbside emissions
– Create revenue-generating public assets when paired with public charging monetization models
They are also among the most complex deployments due to safety, accessibility, and civil works requirements.
Typical Right-of-way EV Charging Use Cases
– Curbside residential charging on city streets
– On-street charging for short stays and neighborhood parking
– Chargers integrated into lamp posts or street cabinets
– Charging bays in public parking lanes near retail and municipal buildings
– Mobility hubs combining EV charging, micromobility, and public transport access
Key Design and Compliance Considerations
Right-of-way installations usually require stricter attention to public safety and compliance:
– Permitting and approvals from city/municipal authorities and road departments
– Utility coordination for cable routing, feeder capacity, and connection points
– Accessibility compliance (clear paths, reach ranges, tactile paving considerations)
– Traffic management during installation (lane closures, signage, temporary barriers)
– Physical protection such as protective bollards and anti-impact design
– Environmental exposure: IP/IK ratings, corrosion resistance, winter service impacts
– Tripping hazards and cable management (especially for socket vs tethered cable solutions)
Installation Methods Common in ROW Projects
– Trenching and ducting under sidewalks or road surfaces
– Directional drilling to reduce surface disruption
– Connection to nearby feeder pillars, street cabinets, or distribution kiosks
– Foundation and mounting solutions designed for public areas (pedestal bases, reinforced plinths)
– Integration with existing street infrastructure (lighting columns, signage poles)
Civil works often dominate cost and schedule compared to the charger hardware itself.
Operational Considerations for ROW Charging
– Higher risk of vandalism and accidental damage (requires durable housings and monitoring)
– Greater importance of remote monitoring and fast maintenance response (uptime)
– Clear signage and bay markings to prevent ICEing and improve usability
– Payment and authentication options (RFID, QR/app, contactless where applicable)
– Reporting needs for municipalities (usage, emissions impact, availability)
Cost and ROI Factors
Right-of-way installations can have higher CAPEX due to civil works and permitting:
– Roadworks, reinstatement, and traffic management increase cost
– Grid connection can be complex and require longer cable runs
– However, high-demand neighborhoods can deliver strong utilization rate and stable revenue per charger if pricing and enforcement are well managed
Related Glossary Terms
On-street charging
Lamp-post chargers
Planning permits
Public charging compliance
Reach range compliance
Protective bollards
Pull pits
Load management
Grid connection permit
Utilization rate
Revenue per charger
Uptime