Calls for all public EV charging sites to have accessible charging mandated are growing with Baroness Jenny Randerson backing the likes of ChargeSafe, Motability Foundation and RECHARGE UK in calling for Government action.
Baroness Randerson has highlighted the importance of providing accessible electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure after attending a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Electric Vehicles, where MPs and attendees heard from representatives from Motability Foundation, Motability Operations and ChargeSafe.
The speakers discussed providing an inclusive experience for people with accessibility needs, and the mandating of BSI PAS 1899:2022* – a British standard giving designers, procurers, and installers essential specifications on how to provide accessible public charge points for electric vehicles, which was co-sponsored by the Motability Foundation and UK Government.
British Standards are voluntary unless referred to in legislation, so at present charge point providers are under no legal obligation to conform with PAS 1899.
RECHARGE UK recently called for all public electric vehicle (EV) charging sites to have accessible charging mandated.
The group, which is the EV arm of the REA (Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology), says that mandating accessibility requirements for public electric vehicle charge points will ensure wheelchair users always have equal access to charge their vehicle.
Baroness Randerson, who has submitted written questions to the Lords on accessibility, said:
“We live in an ageing society and around one in five adults have a disability. It’s essential that charging point infrastructure is provided with all drivers in mind. The UK cannot transition to EVs unless we can all use them. The industry needs to see the bigger picture – everyone is a potential customer.
“It surprises me how little thought has been given to making EV charging as easy as possible. It costs as much to install a charger in an unsuitable location as it does to make it properly accessible. I am not just talking about wheelchair users but also about the weight of the equipment, for instance. Putting EV chargers at the far corner of a large car park deters women from using the equipment after dark.”
(Picture – A Faustov/Dreamstime)
