Skip advert
Advertisement

“Electric car chargepoints step up to the accessibility challenge”

After a successful Auto Express campaign, Chris Rosamond is pleased to see disabled EV drivers finally being taken into account

Opinion - EV charger access

The UK’s rapid shift towards EVs means we often hear from entrepreneurs, the energy establishment and investors, with business goals underpinned by the seemingly genuine desire to make ‘Planet A’ work better.

EV charging infrastructure is a case in point, where innovation and investment are often inspired by forward thinkers on a mission to change the world.

The industry’s progressive instincts have, until now, sat uncomfortably with the reality of EV ownership for many. Across the past year, Auto Express has campaigned on the difficulties faced by less able drivers when confronted with weighty and unwieldy charging cables, and challenged public chargepoint providers and government to address the issue. Providers pushed back.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Guidance might have emerged in April’s draft of the British Standards Institute’s PAS 1899 for Accessible Public EV Chargers. Instead, the draft kicked the issue of unmanageable cables into the long grass of ‘future consideration’, proposing a tick-box solution for chargepoint providers that would leave less able drivers barely better off. It looked like a classic industry stitch-up.

But the prospect of inaccessible EV chargers gaining government-sponsored, BSI-approved, ‘accessible’ status wasn’t good enough for disabled drivers, or us.

We campaigned for a rethink and our efforts have been vindicated: the final version of PAS 1899, revealed last week, not only provides limits for acceptable forces required to manipulate cables, but goes further. It states that chargepoint providers wishing to meet the UK’s new standard must provide additional assistance for less able users if the weight of the charging cable exceeds the limit. In other words, someone to help you plug in.

This makes PAS 1899 a new gold standard for accessibility, and is a credit to all concerned, especially those companies and individuals on the industry steering group who have confirmed their progressive credentials. We’re also delighted that our campaign was listened to.

 What do you think about the issue of accessibility at electric car charging stations? Have your say in the comments...

Auto Express Equal Access For All campaign

Skip advert
Advertisement
Current affairs and features editor

Chris covers all aspects of motoring life for Auto Express. Over a long career he has contributed news and car reviews to brands such as Autocar, WhatCar?, PistonHeads, Goodwood and The Motor Trader.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports
MST Ford Escort - front 3/4

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports

While not officially Fords, the MST Mk1 and Mk2 Sports should drive as sharply as they look
News
7 Jul 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS is the consummate all-rounder and only £255 a month!
Skoda Octavia vRS - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS is the consummate all-rounder and only £255 a month!

A three-time Auto Express Family Car of the Year winner, paired with Golf GTI power, is our Deal of the Day for 6 July
News
6 Jul 2025
New Volvo XC60 2025 facelift review: big-selling SUV gets a new lease of life
Volvo XC60 facelift - front tracking

New Volvo XC60 2025 facelift review: big-selling SUV gets a new lease of life

This refreshed Swedish SUV focuses on familiar areas of strength to take on BMW and Audi
Road tests
4 Jul 2025