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Groups featuring the former Paralympian have expressed concerns that disabled motorists risk being locked out from the move toward electric cars due to EV chargers that lack proper access.

Rising Numbers Yet Barriers Remain

The quantity of public EV chargers throughout the United Kingdom is increasing rapidly, with around 17,400 deployed in the period up to July. Yet, the absence of regulations means those with disabilities sometimes cannot be sure they will be able to use them.

Typical challenges include raised kerbs, loose stone sections, displays placed out of reach, or cables that are too heavy.

Legislative Action

Just this week, the House of Lords voted for an addition to the government’s planning and infrastructure bill that would grant authority to enforce accessibility standards on electric vehicle stations.

Tanni Grey-Thompson, who secured 11 Paralympic golds across five Games, now serves as a crossbench peer in the Lords. She often draws attention to failures in accessible transport, for example a previous situation where she was had to crawl from a train due to absence of support.

"Disabled people have been completely forgotten about," she stated. "I've sought to transition to an electric car on several occasions. It has been extremely difficult."

Sector and Campaigner Perspectives

An EV association leader, said, "We're currently risking millions of drivers being locked out from the move to electric cars. Nearly half of electric car users face issues with using public EV stations."

She emphasized the government to issue new inclusive design rules and to take enabling powers to make the rules compulsory.

Analysis ordered by the non-profit organization reveals the Britain has around 1.35 million disabled drivers, with 390,000 probably lacking home-based EV charging.

Standards and Future Outlook

Currently, just 2.3% of chargers meet the criteria established by the national standards body. Attempts to render its accessibility standard PAS 1899 easier to meet have stalled.

Jamie Borwick, who tabled the amendment, stated that deploying inaccessible points at this time would impact the future and restrict options for accessible users when conventional fuel cars are withdrawn from sale after 2035.

"We are likely to see a whole mass of EV stations without proper access," he noted. "We must design for disability from the very beginning."

Nigel Fletcher remarked that charging standards should be become compulsory. "It is vital that all providers of public EV charging are taking responsibility for guaranteeing that their infrastructure is easy to use."

The chief executive of ChargeUK commented, "No drivers should be overlooked in the EV shift, and this encompasses those with disabilities."

Official Statement

A Department for Transport spokesperson commented, "We are dedicated to making sure disabled drivers can readily power up their electric cars, which is why we commissioned a review into inclusive design for charging stations."

"The review has now concluded, and its conclusions will be made public in the near future. We are still collaborating with industry on how we can enhance charger availability for motorists with access needs."