The AA has claimed that charge points for electric vehicles need to be made more accessible for disabled people…
Making Charge Points Accessible
From 2030, the sale of new diesel and petrol vehicles will be banned. As a result, most of us will be driving an electric vehicle in the near-future; and, inevitably, using public chargers. But for disabled people, accessing charge points can be anything but straightforward; as few designs currently accommodate for their needs and requirements.
Edmund King, President of the AA, recently spoke at the EV infrastructure summit on what needs to change. He said charge points need to be “well-lit, close to amenities, with space around the vehicle to allow people to use walking or mobility aids. It is also essential that the instructions, screen, and cables can be easily viewed and used from a sitting and standing position”.
The motoring organisation’s own research suggests widespread support for more inclusive charging infrastructure. For instance, a survey of 17,302 drivers saw 73% agree that charge point bays should be wheelchair-friendly. Some 79% said that charge points themselves should possess designs that are friendly towards people with physical or mobility issues. Most respondents also felt that most charge points should also possess a 24/7 helpline.
‘Commercial and Social Case’
Catherine Marris, head of innovation at Motability, has said there’s both a commercial and social case for making chargers more accessible to the disabled. She explained, “there is a robust commercial and social case for ensuring that the transition to EVs is inclusive for disabled people. Our research with Ricardo estimates there will be 2.7 million UK drivers or passengers with a disability by 2035, with half reliant on public charging”.
She continued, “it is therefore hugely important that disabled people are not left behind in the transition; and that infrastructure providers avoid expensive retrofitting by building accessibility into charge point design at the start; following best practice and design standards will help”.
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