🔗 Share this article

Campaigners such as Lady Grey-Thompson have expressed concerns that drivers with disabilities risk being locked out from the shift to electric vehicles due to charging stations that aren't accessible.

Rising Numbers Yet Barriers Remain

The quantity of electric vehicle charging points throughout the United Kingdom is increasing rapidly, with approximately 17,400 set up in the period up to July. Yet, the lack of standards means motorists with access needs frequently cannot rely on they will be able to operate them.

Frequent barriers include elevated curbs, gravel surfaces, touchscreens positioned too high, or charging cords that are weighty.

Legislative Action

Just this week, the upper chamber approved a change to the national infrastructure legislation that would enable officials to impose inclusive design rules on public EV chargers.

Tanni Grey-Thompson, who earned eleven golds across five Paralympic Games, is now a non-aligned lord in the upper house. She frequently underscores failures in accessible transport, including a previous situation where she was had to crawl from a train due to absence of support.

"Disabled people have been overlooked entirely," she commented. "I've sought to transition to an electric vehicle a couple of times. It has been extremely difficult."

Industry and Advocacy Voices

An EV association leader, noted, "We now face the risk a huge number of users being excluded from the move to electric cars. Nearly half of electric car users face issues with accessibility of public charging."

She called for the authorities to issue new inclusive design rules and to assume necessary authority to enforce those requirements.

Studies funded by the non-profit organization reveals the UK has around 1.35 million drivers with access needs, with 390,000 unlikely to have home-based EV charging.

Regulations and Forward View

Currently, a mere 2.3% of charging points fulfill the requirements outlined by the British Standards Institution. Efforts to make its standard, known as PAS 1899 more achievable have stalled.

Conservative peer Jamie Borwick, who tabled the amendment, stated that deploying inaccessible points at this time would create long-term issues and leave disabled drivers with few options when conventional fuel cars are phased out after 2035.

"We are likely to see a significant quantity of EV stations without proper access," he commented. "You've got to design for disability from the start."

Nigel Fletcher said that EV charger guidelines should be made mandatory. "It is essential that all public charging operators assume responsibility for making sure that their facilities is inclusive."

Vicky Read added, "No motorists should be overlooked in the EV shift, and this includes those with disabilities."

Official Statement

A government transport body official stated, "We are fully committed to ensuring disabled drivers can conveniently recharge their EVs, which is why we ordered an analysis into accessibility standards for charge points."

"The review has now concluded, and its conclusions will be made public in the near future. We continue to work with industry on how we can enhance access to chargers for motorists with access needs."