Gridserve’s Electric Forecourts are now available on the FuelService app, helping disabled drivers to find and get assistance with recharging their cars.

Latest Electric Hubs employ a design with accessible extra-wide bays

The FuelService app was developed to help those with accessibility needs to be able to fuel or charge their car.

The inclusion of the Gridserve Electric Forecourts means drivers just need to select their chosen location and FuelService will contact the Gridserve experts and ask them if they can help. Once assistance is confirmed, all the driver needs to do is arrive at the charger and let the app know they have arrived. The app will also let drivers know how long assistance will be, keeping them up to date.

Gridserve is working to make charging easily accessible, not only at its Electric Forecourt hubs but also across its Electric Highway network. The blueprint for the Electric Forecourts includes disabled parking, access ramps, accessible washrooms, lifts to access all areas and braille throughout the interior of the building. Gridserve also works with ‘Access for All UK’ to audit Electric Forecourt sites and suggest improvements for existing sites and to inform future forecourt designs.

Latest Electric Hubs employ a design with accessible extra-wide bays using chevrons to ensure space on all sides of the vehicle.

Toddington Harper, CEO of Gridserve, said: “Accessibility is key to ensuring that the transition to electric is inclusive for all. As we break new ground in EV charging, access is at the forefront of the design and construction of our flagship products; the award-winning Electric Forecourts and our advanced Electric Hubs. We recognise the need to consider how we provide drivers with the right information to make an informed decision about charging on their journeys.

“We welcome any feedback from drivers on how we can make the charging experience as easy and accessible as possible.”

Niall El-Assaad, founder of FuelService, continued: “The challenges for disabled drivers remain as we transition from petrol to electric cars. It’s great news to see an organisation such as Gridserve making sure they are looking after disabled drivers.”

It’s the latest work among the EV charging sector to help ensure the needs of disabled drivers are being met. In October 2022, BSI launched a standard to ensure that EV chargers are accessible for disabled and older drivers. The development of the PAS 1899:2022 standard follows a partnership by Motability and the UK government.