The Government has introduced an amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, giving it powers to mandate key accessibility measures at public EV charging points.

The major new step will ensure charge points are user friendly and safe to use including by drivers with disabilities. It comes as the Government simultaneously releases its report recommending revisions to the existing UK standard to make it easier to deliver accessible charging that meets driver’s needs.

The amendment – originally tabled by Conservative Peer Lord Borwick and now expanded upon by the Government – gives ministers the power to mandate accessibility standards across all new public electric vehicle charging points, should voluntary progress by the industry remain too slow.

Speaking in the Chamber, housing minister Matthew Pennycock stated that while the Government has been “working closely with the sector to update the current accessibility standards”, he has “been convinced that we should use the Bill to provide further certainty”.

Speaking on behalf of the Opposition, Conservative MP David Simmonds thanked the Government for its “willingness to embrace the debate about electric vehicle charging”.

The move comes as the Planning and Infrastructure Bill reaches parliamentary stages and  coincides with the publication of the Government’s report recommending revisions to the existing PAS 1899 framework, which sets out detailed accessibility requirements for public EV charge points – including minimum parking bay sizes suitable for wheelchair users, placement of bollards, and the positioning and orientation of payment terminals.

PAS 1899 was first published in 2022 as a voluntary standard, but it is estimated only three charging sites in the whole of the UK currently fully comply with the standard.

A recent survey by EVA England revealed 47% of all drivers, with and without disabilities, reported accessibility issues using current infrastructure. The organisation also found over half (51%) of drivers with disabilities find heavy charging cables at faster charging points hard or extremely hard to use.

In a separate poll, a quarter of Motability Scheme customers – providing specially adapted vehicles to drivers with disabilities – said they would not use current public charging infrastructure over accessibility concerns.

The recommendations follow a year-long review and consultation by the Government with industry stakeholders and consumer and disability groups to identify improvements that would make delivery of the standard easier and more consistent.

The amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill aligns with the review and grants the Government powers to mandate compliance with PAS 1899 in future, if accessibility concerns persist. It also places requirements on all parties involved in the installation of charging points and require installers to report accessibility-related data, enabling the Government to monitor and publish accurate figures on compliance, should it feel the need to.

The provision of accessible public charging is seen as vital to an inclusive transition to electric mobility. There are 1.35 million drivers with disabilities on UK roads.

Vicky Edmonds, CEO of EVA England, said: “This is huge progress for all drivers, especially those with disabilities. For the first time, we have the Government’s assurance that accessibility won’t be left to chance. These enabling powers will also incentivise greater action by industry to roll out accessible charging.”

She added: “EVA England has long supported this ambition, and we’re proud to see such decisive action taken to ensure the public charging network works for everyone.”

Lord Borwick said: “People have congratulated me on this change in the law, but that is not right.  It’s a change in charging systems to make them accessible, not a change in the law, that deserves congratulation.

“This amendment means we can finally ensure that as we move to electric driving, accessibility will not be an afterthought but a core design requirement of the public network.”

Lisa Jones, chief operating officer of the Motability Foundation, said: “It has been the Motability Foundation’s position for some time that the PAS 1899 standard should made mandatory by law, so we’re very pleased to see this amendment has been passed. We estimate that 1.35 million disabled drivers in the UK will need to use public EV chargers by 2035, so it’s absolutely vital that charge points are being made accessible.|

The Motability Foundation is now working with the Government on plans for an updated version of PAS 1899.

Jones continued: “We want to provide a standard that is achievable and can be used by all charge point operators to meet the accessibility needs of disabled people. We will continue to engage with all providers of public charging as part of this process. This will also ensure the standard is in a position to be mandated by law if that step is required.”

Louise Collins, director at the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: “This is an important step forward for disabled drivers who often face considerable challenges in accessing public EV chargepoints. Knowing the Government has the power to mandate accessibility standards should encourage the industry to move faster and gives confidence that action will be taken if progress is too slow.

“We need to see a clear and ambitious timescale for the industry to work to including a minimum number of accessible chargepoints. Failing to set out a clear plan now risks leaving disabled drivers behind today and a major, expensive retrofit job in the future.”