Overview
It’s our mission to make sure electric vehicles are accessible to everyone as the UK transitions to Net Zero. We know that going electric isn’t always the easiest process to understand. Our accessibility hub has information, guidance and links to more resources as a starting point for anyone looking to make the switch to an EV.
Accessibility benefits us all, not just those with disabilities, and we also want to make sure it’s a primary consideration for anyone looking to provide public charging infrastructure. Below you can find useful insights from our projects and the latest data that may help with the future rollout of accessible EV infrastructure.
If you have any thoughts on what else we could be doing to make EV accessible for all, please send us an email to innovation@ukpowernetworks.co.uk.
Enable: accessible charging for disabled drivers
The Enable project aimed to understand the role of a Distribution Network Operator, like us, in supporting the needs of disabled people reliant on on-street parking in their transition to electric vehicles. We also wanted to assess the impact of the electrification of disabled parking bays on our networks so we can make sure we are ready.
We partnered with Motability, a national charity developing new solutions to support the mobility needs of those with disabilities. We engaged with a wide range of stakeholders from disabled drivers, local authorities and charge point operators to transport authorities and central government. Taking our learnings together with quantitative research on market sizing and network impact analysis, we have developed an action plan to help make accessible low carbon transport a reality.
Check to see if you are eligible to sign up to our Priority Services Register to receive extra support in the event of a power cut.
Motability’s vision is that no disabled person shall be disadvantaged due to poor access to transport. Motability the charity oversees the Motability Scheme, which provides a simple way to lease a new car, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair without the worry of owning and running one. Motability also offers charitable grants to disabled people to help them access the Scheme.
There are a number of organisations which can help you if you have accessible transport needs. Some resources can be found below.
As part of our Enable project, we estimated the projected number of on-street disabled parking bays and Blue Badge holders in our licence areas by 2030. We have made this data publicly available at the Lower Layer Super Output Area (LSOA) level. We hope that this data will help local authorities and charge point operators plan for accessible transport provision for customers.
Please get in touch if you would like to discuss your area with us.
The Department for Transport and Motability have commissioned the British Standards Institution (BSI) to develop accessibility standards for EV charge points across the country. These standards will provide the industry with guidance and drivers with a new clear definition of ‘fully accessible’, ‘partially accessible’ and ‘not accessible’ public EV charge points. The standards are currently in draft form and the final version will be published soon.