Motability Operations, which delivers the Motability Scheme and has more than 50,000 customers in electric vehicles, has greeted ChargeUK’s recently published update on EV charging network growth but said much more needs to be done if the UK’s EVs transition is to succeed.

Motability Operations is supporting its customers as part of the transition to electric

Reacting to the update, Andrew Miller, CEO of Motability Operations, said: “It’s good to see that the charging infrastructure sector is reported to be track to deliver a robust electric vehicle charging network by 2030, but we agree there is still more work to be done.

“We know that the accessibility and affordability of EV charging are major concerns for our customers. Many do not have the ability to charge at home, and public infrastructure is often inaccessible to disabled drivers due to narrow parking spaces, lack of dropped kerbs and heavy charging cables. Payment systems can also be complicated and confusing.

“We must work together to share information and insight, to develop solutions, to shape policy, and to change the public narrative. If the switch to electric works for our customers, it will work for everyone.”

Motability Operations is supporting its customers as part of the transition to electric. Working with partner Ohme, the company has covered the cost of installing over 46,000 charge points for customers with off street parking who are using an EV for the first time. It’s also working with Arnold Clark to provide charging for social housing residents and collaborating with several Scottish Councils in piloting charging solutions for Terraced houses. Public charging has been simplified with the Go Charge app, which streamlines payments for their customers at more than 45,000 charge points across the UK.

But the company says this is one part of the picture, and it links to work being delivered in the sector to improve the accessibility of EV charging. The Motability Foundation, who oversee how Motability Operations runs the Motability Scheme, is working to ensure that every public charge point is accessible to disabled people. This is vital as it is estimated there will be 2.7 million disabled drivers in the UK by 2035, and up to 50% of these people will be wholly or partially reliant on public charging infrastructure.

The Motability Foundation has conducted research to understand the barriers disabled people face when using public charge points. These include the weight of charging cables, the force required to attach the connector, lack of dropped kerbs around charge points and unsuitable parking arrangements.

The Motability Foundation has also partnered with the UK government to co-sponsor the accessibility standard for public EV charge points, BSI PAS 1899, which was published in October 2022. It provides a minimum accessible standard for all types of charge point, and was developed by experts working with disabled people, industry bodies, manufacturers, charge point operators and disability advocacy groups. The Motability Foundation has also endorsed assessment schemes so charge point providers have a way of checking if their infrastructure is compliant.