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Campaigners such as Lady Grey-Thompson have expressed concerns that disabled motorists may be excluded from the transition to EVs due to charging stations that aren't accessible.

Growing Infrastructure Yet Barriers Remain

The number of electric vehicle charging points across the UK is increasing rapidly, with some 17,400 deployed in the year to July. Yet, the lack of standards means disabled drivers frequently cannot rely on they will be able to use them.

Common obstacles include elevated curbs, loose stone sections, touchscreens positioned too high, or charging cords that are weighty.

Policy Moves

Lately, the House of Lords voted for an addition to the national infrastructure legislation that would enable officials to mandate access requirements on public charging points.

Baroness Grey-Thompson, who earned eleven golds across five Paralympics, now serves as a independent member in the House of Lords. She often draws attention to shortcomings in transport access, such as a past event where she was needed to exit a train on her hands and knees due to absence of support.

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

Sector and Campaigner Perspectives

Vicky Edmonds, said, "We now face the risk countless motorists missing out from the EV shift. Nearly half of EV owners face issues with using public EV stations."

She urged the authorities to publish its revised accessibility standard and to assume necessary authority to mandate that standard.

Analysis ordered by the charitable foundation indicates the United Kingdom has around 1.35 million motorists with disabilities, of which 390,000 without access to home-based EV charging.

Standards and Future Outlook

Currently, just 2.3% of chargers comply with the standards outlined by the national standards body. Work to ensure its accessibility standard PAS 1899 more achievable have stalled.

Jamie Borwick, who introduced the measure, cautioned that deploying inaccessible points today would have effects for years and limit choices for those with disabilities when non-electric vehicles are no longer sold post-2035.

"We will end up with a whole mass of EV stations without proper access," he said. "You've got to design for inclusive use from the very beginning."

The chief executive of the Motability Foundation said that accessibility requirements should be be enforced. "It is essential that all public charging operators assume responsibility for ensuring that their facilities is inclusive."

Vicky Read added, "No drivers should be excluded in the transition to electric vehicles, and this includes motorists requiring access accommodations."

Government Response

A government transport body official said, "We are fully committed to guaranteeing drivers with disabilities can easily charge their EVs, which is why we commissioned a review into EV charger access guidelines."

"The study has finished, and its findings will be made public in the near future. We are still collaborating with businesses on how we can improve EV station use for disabled drivers."