Accessibility standards are to be developed for electric vehicle charge points across the UK to make EV charging inclusive for all.

The accessibility standards will make sure electric vehicle charging is inclusive for all

The Department for Transport (DfT) has commissioned the British Standards Institute (BSI) to develop the standards for EV charge points across the country, which will provide guidance on how to make individual charge points more accessible by summer 2022.

The BSI will work on the project in partnership with the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and Motability, and will develop consistent standards on areas including adequate space between bollards, ensuring charging units are a suitable height for wheelchair users, size of the parking bay and the kerb height.

To enable drivers to easily identify which charge points are suitable for their needs, the standards will provide a new, clear definition of ‘fully accessible’, ‘partially accessible’ and ‘not accessible’ public EV charge points.

The project will work with industry stakeholders including EV charge point operators, disability charities and innovators, and will feature a series of Motability workshops on accessibility and electric vehicle charging in August.

Barry Le Grys, chief executive officer at Motability, said: “There is a risk that disabled people are left behind as the UK’s transition to electric vehicles approaches and Motability wants to ensure that this does not happen.

“We look forward to working together to create world-leading accessibility standards and to support the UK’s commitment to achieving zero emissions. Motability looks forward to a future where electric vehicle charging is inclusive for all.”

Motability is also working with Designability – a charity that creates products to enable disabled people to live with greater independence – to engage with disabled drivers and identify their requirements for accessible charging.

Catharine Brown, chief executive at Designability, said: “Our expertise in working with disabled people makes us perfectly placed to find solutions to these everyday challenges – which will only increase as more people want to drive electric cars.”