News & Features
Final Equal EV Report
Posted in General News on Wednesday, March 30th, 2022
On 29th March, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) published a report which warned that some disabled and vulnerable motorists are at risk of being unfairly excluded from the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). Through the Equal EV project we join SSEN in calling for proactive measures to be taken to ensure that the EV infrastructure is accessible for all.
Both SSEN and DMUK are pleased that through its EV Infrastructure Strategy, the government has recognised the importance of ensuring that chargepoints are inclusively designed and that a commitment has been made to publish standards for EV charging infrastructure by this summer. However, it is crucial that the designs accommodate for the widest possible range of disabilities including cognitive as well as physical impairments.
The Equal EV report details the considerations that are particularly important for disabled motorists who are making the transition to EV. Those with mobility impairments were found to be most likely to raise concerns around finding a suitable EV and using public chargepoints, where as those suffering from anxiety and other cognitive conditions raised concerns regarding every stage of the transition, from cost and acquisition to practical use. The second stage of the Equal EV project examined the viability of technology which could be used to remove these barriers and made suggestions to tackle certain issues as well as explaining the potential roles of Distribution Network Operators (DNOs).
Former Team GB Wheelchair Fencing athlete, Mat Campbell-Hill has been an EV driver since 2018 and he is calling for more to be done to help disabled motorists make the transition to EVs. Mat commented: “We need the infrastructure in place to support the take-up of electric vehicles. As it stands, the infrastructure being built ignores the accessibility needs of the general population. People with mobility issues may have disabilities, like me, but include anyone with children, with shopping, who is pregnant, or who has injured themselves. Sufficient space around the vehicles, dropped curbs and well-designed charging cables can benefit everyone and would help make the transition to clean, green transport a real option for everybody.”
If you would like to view the full Equal EV report it can be found here.
Comments (2)Leave a reply
* indicates a required field
Comments
Mike Brown
Wednesday, March, 30th, 2022
I think a more important issue with regard to electric motoring is the cost of the vehicle themselves. From my preliminary research it would seem I will never be able to afford to buy and electric WAV. The option of ‘buying’ through Motorbility would seem not to be possible due to very high upfront costs and then the swallowing whole of my DLA/PIP, money which I need to afford my disabled life. Whilst the majority of us would, I am sure, wish to run an electric vehicle I doubt that majority could afford one. Perhaps loosening up some of the funds in the possession of Motorbility to reduce the costs of getting an electric WAV might persuade some more to go the electric route, I fear that is also a bit of a pipe dream. Please give some thought to getting the vehicles on the road along with how to charge them, especially for the many who do not live in cities and will never get a charging point nearby.
Ann Marshall
Friday, April, 1st, 2022
We won’t need the charge points if we have WAV cars for wheelchairs. Because we can’t yet buy electric versions of WAV cars. They don’t even know when it will be possible. I have tried , but my needs can’t be accommodated in any electric car. Probably some people can.