Accessible EV Charging Stations

Around one in five people in the UK are disabled; that is around 14 million people, and a large proportion of this demographic regularly drive. With the 2030 phase-out of ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles looming, many of these disabled drivers will be looking to transition to an electric car in the near future, that is, if they are not EV drivers already. 

For this transition to be successful, the public charging infrastructure must consider the barriers to disabled drivers regarding EV charging accessibility, ensuring that all EV charging facilities are inclusive of disabled drivers. 

RAW Charging is the expert in implementing accessible EV charging across their EV charging technology and Ownership Options, helping companies and landowners find the ideal solution to solve access issues for disabled drivers, with many projects completed across their vast network, including Greene King’s headquarters, Sunrise House (pictured).

Here, the RAW team have highlighted the struggles facing disabled drivers, the standards every installer should aim for, and the solutions that RAW provide.

The struggles faced by disabled EV drivers

Of the 14 million disabled people in the UK, it is predicted that 1.35 million disabled drivers will be either partially or entirely reliant on the EV charging infrastructure by 2035. 

Presently, these consumers face challenges when transitioning to and living with EVs in many areas of the UK. A report conducted by the Energy Saving Trust highlighted some areas in which disabled drivers struggle to purchase and use an EV; they found that:

• There was an inadequate range of disabled vehicles for sale.

• The suitability and availability of EVs among Motability vehicles need to be better.  

• Barriers were encountered when relying on the public charging network.

• There were Chargepoint accessibility issues.

• More suitable EV chargepoints were needed.

• Charging cables were often too heavy.

• Force and effort were needed to attach the connector to the EV.

• The parking bay design around the chargepoints was unsuitable.

• There was a lack of dropped kerbs around chargepoints.

The report also found that disabled EV drivers with mobility and dexterity issues were affected most when using chargepoints, primarily due to the lack of consideration concerning the surrounding environment of the EV charging stations and their design. 

Considering this, consumers who qualify for the Blue Badge Scheme (some 2.35 million people) are more likely to be impacted by Chargepoint access issues than those who do not.

EV charging standards regarding accessible chargepoints

An accessible chargepoint standard, commonly referred to as PAS 1899, was launched by the British Standards Institution in October 2022 to provide designers and installers with specifications on accessible public chargepoints for EVs.

PAS 1899 helps to improve the accessibility of the EV charging infrastructure by:

• Covering accessible EV chargepoints for those with diverse accessibility needs.

• Promoting innovation and efficiency in the deployment of EV chargepoints.

• Providing guidelines on the environment, placement, supply of information provision and design of EV chargepoints.  

• Building confidence in the accessibility and inclusivity of the EV infrastructure.

The UK charity Designability has also created design guidance to translate complex technical standards into clear advice for chargepoint manufacturers, providers and designers. 

Solutions for accessible EV charging

To ensure that all EV charge stations are easily accessible to disabled drivers, it is vital that partners, including chargepoint operators, local authorities, distribution network operators and the government consider and implement EV charging solutions across the board. 

These solutions include:

• Increasing the number of chargepoints in disabled bays across the UK.

• Ensuring that disabled EV drivers are at the forefront of EV infrastructure planning.

• Consider the employment of chargepoint assistants to aid EV drivers.

• Evaluate the environment, hardware and signage of chargepoints, ensuring they offer efficient and easy access for disabled drivers.

• Support the marketing and development of services and tools that allow disabled drivers to locate accessible chargepoints quickly.

• Reach out to private landowners to ensure that accessibility is considered when implementing EV charging facilities.

• Ensure that BSI standards are adhered to throughout the planning, development and installation of EV chargepoints. 

Environmental chargepoint considerations

When planning and installing disabled-friendly EV charging stations, manufacturers, developers and providers must consider the following: 

• The size of parking bays to accommodate larger WAVs (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles).

• The available space at the electric vehicle's sides, front and rear; is there ample room for wheelchair access?

• Obstructions such as kerbs around the parking bay or chargepoint.

• The features, position and location of the chargepoint.

• Straightforward instructions and information from the chargepoint.

• Clear visual feedback from the chargepoint.

• Proper shelter and lighting.

• Level access to nearby amenities.

• Reliable and responsive customer support.

RAW Charging ensures the uptake and implementation of accessible EV charging across the UK

With their extensive network, state-of-the-art equipment, Rapid Hubs across the UK and start-to-finish EV charging installation process used by The National Trust, Merlin Entertainments and Greene King, to name a few, RAW is best positioned and passionate about ensuring all EV charging facilities include inclusive EV charging solutions for disabled drivers.

Currently, disabled consumers face too many barriers concerning efficiently using their EV; RAW aims to continue eliminating this issue by placing disabled drivers at the forefront of our EV infrastructure strategy, planning and installation. 

If you are a business owner, landowner or local authority who would like to implement accessible EV charging into your charging facilities, please contact RAW today for more information and a free site assessment.