EV Chargers and Accessibility Concerns
Disability rights campaigners are voicing concerns about the UK government’s push to expand on-street electric vehicle (EV) charging points, citing potential safety and accessibility issues for vulnerable people. As the government aims to make it easier for drivers to switch from petrol and diesel vehicles, disability groups are cautioning Labour to consider the impact on UK pavements.
Campaigners and experts provided evidence to the Transport Committee, emphasizing the need for a balance between more EV chargers and the needs of all pavement users, particularly those with disabilities. The concern is that the rapid installation of charging points may inadvertently obstruct pavements and create new hazards.
Inclusive Design is Key
Emma Vogelmann, Head of Policy at Transport for All, stressed the importance of inclusive design. She stated, “A way to get that balance right is by inclusive design, and the only way to do that is by including disabled people from the very beginning.” She added that disabled individuals must be consulted throughout the design and implementation of EV charging infrastructure.
Vogelmann highlighted that a significant majority of disabled individuals want to use sustainable transport options, like electric vehicles. However, they often face challenges due to charging facilities and associated costs. She added that the current reality doesn’t support their desires.
Addressing Residential Charging Challenges
Jack Cousens, Head of Roads Policy at the AA, acknowledged the need for addressing the charging issue for terraced housing and residential areas, crucial demographics the government needs to accommodate given the push for electric vehicles. He pointed out that local authorities have access to grants to fund charging infrastructure.
Dr. Scott Arthur, a Labour MP, warned that the current approach to EV charging could exacerbate inequalities. His analysis focuses on the fact that those with driveways tend to be wealthier.
Vogelmann concurred, noting that disabled people are frequently more reliant on cars. They depend on door-to-door transport more so than non-disabled individuals.
Limited Accessibility in Existing Infrastructure
A recent report highlighted that only a small fraction of the UK’s on-street EV chargers are adapted for disabled users, emphasizing the need for more accessible models. Cousens suggested solutions such as cable gullies to avoid hazardous cables stretching across pavements rather than using plastic ramps.
Research from Vauxhall revealed that a tiny percentage of on-street chargers are positioned in disabled parking bays. Similarly, only a fraction meet British Standards Institution guidelines for accessible EV charging.
Future Reliance on Public Charging
The Motability Foundation predicts that a large number of disabled drivers will be reliant on public charging infrastructure as the UK progresses with its Zero Emission Vehicle mandate. The mandate requires all new car sales to be electric by 2035, with at least 28 percent electric by the end of this year.
A spokesperson for the National Centre of Accessible Transport emphasized the importance of ensuring that the introduction of EV chargers doesn’t worsen existing accessibility issues. Their recommendations include advance communication about streetworks plans to allow disabled people to plan accordingly.
