Electric Vehicle Charging Accessibility Lags, Report Finds
The UK’s electric vehicle charging network is failing to adequately serve disabled drivers, according to a recent report from Members of Parliament (MPs). The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report revealed significant shortcomings in the accessibility of public charging points, raising concerns about the potential for excluding a large group of drivers as the transition to electric vehicles continues.
The report found that not a single charging point in the UK fully complies with existing accessibility standards. Despite standards being established in 2022, the Motability Foundation reports that two years later, no charge points meet these guidelines. Many existing charge points present challenges for wheelchair users and others with mobility issues due to placement on kerbs or the presence of obstructions.
By 2035, it’s estimated that 1.35 million drivers with disabilities will need to rely on these public charging points.
Regional Disparities and Government Intervention
The report also highlighted a stark regional imbalance in charging point distribution. Approximately 43% of public charge points are located in London and the South East, with just 15% in rural areas of England. While the government is on track to install 300,000 charge points by 2030, the uneven distribution remains a concern. The committee warned that rural locations may face difficulty attracting operators.
The Department for Transport (DfT) co-sponsored accessibility standards with the Motability Foundation in 2022, but has not mandated their use. The DfT has now launched a review of the standard with the British Standards Institution to address practical implementation issues, with recommendations expected in early 2025.
Slow Progress and Funding Delays
The report criticized the government’s slow progress in ensuring adequate coverage at motorway service areas, with only 80 out of 114 service areas having met the target of at least six ultra-rapid charge points by the end of January 2025. Furthermore, the DfT has yet to issue any of the £950 million in rapid charging funds that were announced in 2020.
Nigel Fletcher, Chief Executive Officer of the Motability Foundation, noted the importance of ensuring disabled people are not left behind. He stated, “We also believe that providers of public charging should also be taking responsibility for ensuring their infrastructure is accessible.” The PAC report also noted concerns that individuals who rely solely on public charge points may face higher charging costs compared to those who can charge at home, which would disproportionately affect disabled people.
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, emphasized the need for equitable distribution of charging infrastructure, stating “Meeting numerical targets for charging points is all very well. Delivering thousands of points allowing Londoners to easily zip around the capital while leaving the rest of the UK’s network patchy is obviously an outcome to be avoided.”
