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Advocates including Tanni Grey-Thompson have raised alarms that drivers with disabilities may be excluded from the transition to EVs due to charging stations that aren't accessible.

Growing Infrastructure But Access Issues

The count of public charging stations across the UK is growing quickly, with approximately 17,400 set up in the year to July. Nevertheless, the missing guidelines means disabled drivers often cannot trust they will be able to use them.

Frequent barriers involve elevated curbs, gravel surfaces, displays placed out of reach, or leads that are difficult to handle.

Government Steps

Lately, the upper chamber passed an amendment to the government’s planning and infrastructure bill that would provide power to mandate access requirements on public charging points.

Baroness Grey-Thompson, who won 11 gold medals across five Paralympics, now serves as a non-aligned lord in the Lords. She regularly highlights failures in accessible transport, including a recent incident where she was needed to exit a train on her hands and knees due to lack of assistance.

"Those with access needs have been completely forgotten about," she remarked. "I've attempted to switch to an electric vehicle a couple of times. It has been really hard going."

Sector and Campaigner Perspectives

The chief executive of EVA England, said, "We now face the risk countless motorists being locked out from the move to electric cars. Close to half of electric car users face issues with public charger access."

She called for the authorities to release updated access guidelines and to take enabling powers to mandate that standard.

Analysis ordered by the charitable foundation shows the United Kingdom has around 1.35 million motorists with disabilities, of which 390,000 without access to domestic charging facilities.

Standards and Future Outlook

Currently, only 2.3% of charging points comply with the standards set by the British Standards Institution. Attempts to render its standard, known as PAS 1899 more achievable have halted.

Conservative peer Jamie Borwick, who tabled the amendment, stated that setting up non-compliant stations today would have effects for years and leave disabled drivers with few options when new petrol and diesel vehicles are no longer sold from 2035 onward.

"We will end up with a large number of EV stations without proper access," he said. "You've got to design for accessibility from the start."

The chief executive of the Motability Foundation remarked that charging standards should be made mandatory. "It is vital that all EV station companies assume responsibility for making sure that their infrastructure is accessible."

The chief executive of ChargeUK commented, "No drivers should be left behind in the EV shift, and this includes motorists requiring access accommodations."

Government Response

A transport department spokesperson said, "We are dedicated to guaranteeing drivers with disabilities can readily power up their electric cars, which is why we ordered an analysis into accessibility standards for charge points."

"The review has now concluded, and its results will be published shortly. We are still collaborating with industry on how we can enhance access to chargers for motorists with access needs."