Only 2.3% of the UK’s on-street electric vehicle chargers are specifically adapted to consider the needs of disabled drivers, according to new research by Vauxhall.

The FOI request assessed the considerations given to disabled drivers when installing on-street charge points

The electric car and van maker conducted a Freedom of Information request to assess the considerations being given towards disabled drivers by local authorities when installing on-street residential charge points.

Based on information from the 223 councils who provided data to Vauxhall, only 450 of the recorded 19,456 on-street charge points in the UK have been adapted specifically for the considerations of disabled drivers ­– equivalent to just 2.3%.

The findings also revealed that, according to the responding councils, only 105 (0.5%) on-street charge points are positioned in disabled parking bays, and 238 (1.2%) are known to conform to the British Standards Institution’s PAS 1899:2022, guidelines introduced in 2022 to provide a minimum standard accessibility of public charge points.

Vauxhall carried out the research as part of its Electric Streets of Britain initiative, which aims to support the 40% of UK households without off-street parking. There are over 16 million disabled people in the UK, and research by the Motability Foundation support charity predicts that 1.35 million disabled drivers will be partially or fully reliant on public charging infrastructure by 2035.

James Taylor, managing director, Vauxhall, said: “As this new research very clearly demonstrates, accessibility is an area of electric vehicle charging infrastructure which requires immediate attention. The focus typically falls on charger numbers and charging times, but accessibility is a fundamental factor in ensuring the switch to EVs is both practical and inclusive. Currently, this is a significant barrier for Britain’s disabled motorists wishing to switch to EVs – particularly those who have no home charging capability.”

He continued: “It is imperative that the switch to electric is made possible for all, and at Vauxhall we want to ensure everybody is brought along on this journey. While there are recent set guidelines in place to support disabled drivers, they are not mandatory. Our research shows that their implementation is very limited and that needs to change if on-street charging provision is to meet the needs of all motorists. We ask drivers to register their personal needs for on-street charging through ElectricStreets.co.uk to ensure all voices are heard on the UK’s journey towards electrification.”

According to the research, while London councils have installed over 60% of the nation’s on-street chargers, none are reported as having been adapted for disabled users, and only 12 of the 11,747 on-street chargers found across the capital are reportedly situated in disabled parking bays.

Vauxhall is a founding member of the Motability Scheme and has worked closely with Motability Operations, the organisation who delivers the Motability Scheme, since the charity began in 1977. The Motability Scheme offers drivers with a wide range of disabilities the opportunity to find a vehicle to suit their needs, including the Vauxhall Corsa Electric, Mokka Electric, Astra Electric, Combo Life Electric and Vivaro Life Electric.

By the end of this year, Vauxhall will offer a fully electric version of every car and van in its line-up.