🔗 Share this article

Groups featuring the former Paralympian have raised alarms that disabled motorists may be excluded from the shift to electric vehicles due to EV chargers that lack proper access.

Expanding Network But Accessibility Gaps

The number of public charging stations throughout the United Kingdom is increasing rapidly, with some 17,400 installed in the twelve months ending in July. Yet, the lack of standards means those with disabilities sometimes cannot be sure they will be able to use them.

Frequent barriers include raised kerbs, loose stone sections, touchscreens positioned too high, or charging cords that are weighty.

Government Steps

Just this week, the House of Lords passed an amendment to the planning and development law that would grant authority to impose inclusive design rules on electric vehicle stations.

Lady Grey-Thompson, who secured 11 Paralympic golds across five Paralympic Games, is now a crossbench peer in the upper house. She regularly highlights failures in accessible transport, for example a previous situation where she was forced to crawl off a train due to lack of assistance.

"Disabled people have been left out of the picture," she remarked. "I've tried to change to an electric vehicle a couple of times. It has been really hard going."

Sector and Campaigner Perspectives

Vicky Edmonds, stated, "We now face the risk countless motorists being excluded from the move to electric cars. Nearly half of EV drivers have problems with using public EV stations."

She called for the ministers to issue new inclusive design rules and to take enabling powers to mandate that standard.

Research commissioned by the non-profit organization shows the Britain has as many as 1.35 million disabled drivers, with 390,000 unlikely to have domestic charging facilities.

Standards and Future Outlook

Right now, only 2.3% of charging points comply with the standards outlined by the BSI. Attempts to render its PAS 1899 guideline easier to meet have stalled.

Conservative peer Jamie Borwick, who tabled the amendment, cautioned that setting up non-compliant stations today would create long-term issues and limit choices for those with disabilities when non-electric vehicles are no longer sold from 2035 onward.

"We are likely to see a whole mass of charging points that aren't accessible," he commented. "We must design for disability from the outset."

A foundation leader remarked that accessibility requirements should be made mandatory. "It is crucial that all providers of public EV charging bear the duty for guaranteeing that their equipment is easy to use."

Vicky Read added, "No motorists should be overlooked in the transition to electric vehicles, and this includes drivers with accessibility needs."

Authorities' Reply

A government transport body official commented, "We are fully committed to making sure those with access needs can easily charge their EVs, which is why we requested a study into accessibility standards for charge points."

"The analysis is complete, and its findings will be released soon. We continue to work with industry on how we can improve access to chargers for disabled drivers."