More Charge Points Needed for EV Success

Motability Operations is applauding the reported increase in charge points for electric vehicles (EVs) by ChargeUK, acknowledging the progress made while also emphasising the need for further improvements to ensure the success of the UK’s transition to EVs.

With over 50,000 customers already using electric vehicles through the Motability Scheme, CEO Andrew Miller highlighted the importance of addressing concerns around the accessibility and affordability of EV charging. Many customers face challenges in charging at home and encounter obstacles with public infrastructure, such as narrow parking spaces, lack of dropped kerbs, and complicated payment systems.

Motability Operations is actively supporting its customers during the transition to electric vehicles. Collaborating with partner Ohme, the company has funded the installation of over 46,000 charge points for customers with off-street parking who are new EV users. Partnership with Arnold Clark enables charging solutions for social housing residents, while collaborations with various Scottish Councils focus on piloting charging options for terraced houses. The Go Charge app has also simplified public charging with streamlined payments at more than 45,000 charge points nationwide.

However, Motability Operations emphasises that this effort is just one aspect of a larger picture. The company is committed to working with the sector to improve the accessibility of EV charging facilities. The Motability Foundation, overseeing the Motability Scheme, is dedicated to ensuring that every public charge point is accessible to disabled individuals, considering the projected 2.7 million disabled drivers in the UK by 2035, with a significant percentage reliant on public charging infrastructure.

Research conducted by the Motability Foundation has identified key barriers faced by disabled individuals when using public charge points, including issues with charging cables, connector attachment force, insufficient dropped kerbs, and inadequate parking arrangements. In collaboration with the UK government, the Motability Foundation has co-sponsored the accessibility standard for public EV charge points – BSI PAS 1899, published in October 2022. This standard sets a minimum accessible benchmark for all charge points, developed in consultation with experts, industry bodies, manufacturers, charge point operators, and disability advocacy groups. Additionally, the Motability Foundation has endorsed assessment schemes for charge point providers to ensure compliance with accessibility standards.