An in-depth report looking into the barriers and solutions for disabled consumers who wish to use electric vehicles has been published by the Energy Saving Trust.

The report addresses how the transition will affect the 14 million disabled individuals across the UK and the 1.35 million disabled consumers who will be partially or wholly reliant on public charging infrastructure

In the run-up to the 2030 ICE phase-out, the report addresses how the transition will affect the 14 million disabled individuals across the UK and the 1.35 million disabled consumers who will be partially or wholly reliant on public charging infrastructure.

Key barriers include a very limited range of wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs), due to technological challenges with the vehicle’s batteries. Models that are available are more expensive than their petrol or diesel equivalents.

A further barrier lies in the scarcity of charge points that are accessible for disabled consumers – an issue also pointed out by Motability – and a lack of clarity about where existing accessible charge points are, making it difficult for disabled consumers to effectively plan journeys. However, the EST highlighted that the work by the British Standards Institute and Motability on new accessible design standards will help address this.

It also revealed further opportunities to address issues, including support for local authorities with the development of their charge point deployment strategies to ensure disabled consumers are being considered throughout. These strategies should include the widespread rollout of new accessible charge points that meet the needs of all consumers.

And the Energy Saving Trust is creating a new online hub where disabled consumers can find more information and resources on the process of switching to electric vehicles and key considerations.

Tim Anderson, head of transport, Energy Saving Trust, said: “With the upcoming phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030, it is essential that everyone is supported in a fair transition to electric vehicles. Our mission is to tackle the climate emergency, and this includes ensuring all members of society can decarbonise their travel. The findings of this report will spur us on to ensure electric vehicles are viable for all and look forward to continuing our work with Department for Transport in this area and addressing disability in transport.”

Transport Minister Trudy Harrison added: “I welcome the findings of this report, which will help direct our ongoing work with local authorities and industry to break down any barriers preventing disabled road users from joining the journey to electric.”

The full report can be found here.