ev charging, environment, ev infrastructure, commercial, new research on barriers to accessible ev design published

A new report published by charity Motability and the Energy Saving Trust has highlighted the barriers to making the design of electric vehicles (EVs) accessible for disabled people, and how these could be addressed.

Motability has previously conducted extensive research into the accessibility of EV charging infrastructure, which led to the creation of the BSI standard for accessible public chargepoints (PAS 1899). This new research conducted by Energy Saving Trust looked at accessibility issues with the vehicles themselves, with a particular focus on wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs).

The research found that the requirements of disabled people are not being sufficiently considered in the design and production of EVs, with WAV users in particular raising concerns about finding models suitable for their needs.

A survey of disabled WAV users conducted as part of the research found that over 70% of respondents have considered driving an electric WAV, with over 25% planning to get one as their next vehicle. However the limited choice of suitable vehicles available is a key concern for disabled people, with 85% of respondents listing it as a significant barrier for them. Examples of unsuitable design features included some electric vehicles not being tall enough for some seated wheelchair users, or not enough boot space for mobility equipment.

With the control systems in EVs becoming increasing advanced, the report identifies that more engagement is needed to ensure that new features work for disabled people. The placement of the battery and the charging socket are highlighted as key accessibility concerns for EVs. The position of the battery is a key concern for adapters and converters, and is a particular challenge to producing small WAVs, which are the preferred size for many WAV users

As well as research with disabled drivers and passengers a number of surveys and interviews were also conducted with key industry stakeholders. This included vehicle manufacturers and the adaption and conversion industry which provide mobility solutions for disabled motorists.

Responses from the adaptation and conversion industry found that they have limited engagement with vehicle manufacturers. This makes it difficult for them to obtain technical information about the vehicles they need in order to meet the accessibility requirements of disabled customers.

Motability Operations, which carries out the day-to-day running of the Motability Scheme, also contributed to the research. Over 630,000 people currently use the Motability Scheme, and more than 5% of all vehicles used by Scheme customers are WAVs. Around 10% of all cars on the Motability Scheme have an adaptation.

The report makes a series of recommendations for overcoming the challenges identified relating to accessible and inclusive EV design. These include encouraging greater engagement between converters, adapters and vehicle manufacturers, and establishing design principles for accessible EVs.

Barry Le Grys, Chief Executive Officer of Motability said: “With the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles set to end in 2030, we want to ensure that the transition to EVs is accessible to all. While we continue to make progress on the accessibility of public chargepoints, it’s clear from this research that further work is needed on vehicle design. There is a risk that disabled people could lose the vital independence that having access to private transport brings if these issues are not addressed by 2030.

“We welcome the findings of this research from Energy Saving Trust, which provides valuable insight from disabled people, vehicle manufacturers and the adaption and conversion industry. We now be considering how we can work with our partners including Motability Operations to encourage further engagement on this issue and develop practical solutions for accessible vehicle design.”

Tim Anderson, Head of Transport, Energy Saving Trust, says: “This research highlights the significant barriers faced by disabled people and the industry when it comes to the design and provision of accessible vehicles.  We hope the recommendations given in this report will help to address these barriers and, once actioned, will support an equitable transition to electric vehicles. We will continue to provide leadership, support research and deliver programmes in this area research and delivery in this area, making transport inclusive to all.”

Keyword: New research on barriers to accessible EV design published

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

The future of 4WD modification lies with engineering firms like Premcar | Opinion

Nissan and Premcar’s Warrior program is lighting the way forward for how 4WD modifications could look for the future. Car buyers are increasingly sophisticated these days: they’re highly knowledgeable about the specific vehicle they want to buy, having done countless hours of research, online and in person, and having ...

View more: The future of 4WD modification lies with engineering firms like Premcar | Opinion

EO to install chargepoints for Warrington e-buses

EO Charging has been chosen by Warrington Borough Council to provide the infrastructure that will power its new eBus fleet. EO will install the chargers at Warrington’s new bus depot being constructed to host 105 Volvo BZL Electric vehicles scheduled for delivery in 2024. This is one of the ...

View more: EO to install chargepoints for Warrington e-buses

Veg box supplier Riverford optimises EV fleet with Webfleet

Organic veg box company Riverford is using Webfleet technology to overcome EV range anxiety, manage routes better and navigate efficiently to charge points. The software is helping Riverford to track not only vehicle location but also battery health, remaining driving range and real-time energy consumption for their 65 electric ...

View more: Veg box supplier Riverford optimises EV fleet with Webfleet

AFP seeks fleet managers to develop apprenticeship

Experienced fleet managers are being sought by the Association of Fleet Professionals to help deliver a new apprenticeship standard for fleet specialists.   Up to 20 individuals are required to form a group to create an apprenticeship standard, working alongside the Institute for Apprenticeships. When the content is approved, ...

View more: AFP seeks fleet managers to develop apprenticeship

Royal Mail takes delivery of 5,000th electric vehicle

Royal Mail has passed the milestone of 5,000 electric vehicles across its delivery and collection fleet – with the 5000th electric vehicle deployed at Sheffield City Delivery Office. The Sheffield City Delivery Office has over 50 electric vehicles on site which are being used for delivery and collection functions. ...

View more: Royal Mail takes delivery of 5,000th electric vehicle

More 'Merica: 2023 Ram 1500 Laramie Sport arrives to bolster the large American dual-cab's dominance over the Chevrolet Silverado

The Laramie Sport becomes the second-most pricey 1500 behind the supercharged TRX. The stereotype of American excess is sometimes shunned, but when it comes to utes Australians don’t mind the ‘bigger is better’ approach, which the US delivers in spades. Not only is the Ram 1500 rather sizey, but ...

View more: More 'Merica: 2023 Ram 1500 Laramie Sport arrives to bolster the large American dual-cab's dominance over the Chevrolet Silverado

Attention Uber, Deliveroo and Amazon: Kia PBV van and minivan electric car range shape up for Australia to take on Renault Kangoo and Ford e-Transit

While the Kia Niro Plus was a purpose-built-vehicle experiment, its replacement will be a range of EV vans and people movers. Kia is set to branch out into medium and large-sized electric vans and people-mover/minivans in Australia from the middle of this decade, following the successful trial of the ...

View more: Attention Uber, Deliveroo and Amazon: Kia PBV van and minivan electric car range shape up for Australia to take on Renault Kangoo and Ford e-Transit

Toyota HiLux? Ford Ranger? Isuzu D-Max? It doesn't matter which brand of dual-cab ute you take into the outback, there are far more important things to consider | Opinion

When Brendon ‘Knuckles’ Walker’s ute broke down, he got help from an unlikely place. Fearsome competition in today’s dual-cab market has transformed what used to be one of the most fundamentally compromised product offerings in Australia, into a range of machines that are well-rounded and significantly less agricultural. Subsequently, ...

View more: Toyota HiLux? Ford Ranger? Isuzu D-Max? It doesn't matter which brand of dual-cab ute you take into the outback, there are far more important things to consider | Opinion

How Australians got the Kia ute over the line to take on the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, Mitsubishi Triton, Isuzu D-Max and Nissan Navara

SSE engineers begin trial of First Hydrogen van

LEVC launches wheelchair friendly TX Access

Toyota Tundra 2023 review: Hybrid

World's toughest ute? Forget the LandCruiser 70 Series, the 2024 Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster looks like it eats Toyota's and Ford's for breakfast - but it sure ain't cheap

Bosch starts volume production of fuel-cell power module

Many van fleets reverting to emission-reduction strategies

EU plans for weight limit-increases for zero-emission trucks

How Kia is futureproofing the 2025 Tasman ute against the Ford Ranger and coming all-new Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara and Toyota HiLux rivals

Panel of Experts: Commercial Vehicle Decarbonisation

Grundon unveils electric refuse truck powered by waste

Siemens to provide metering services for charge-point operators

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel