In April 2021, the UK government announced its commitment to reduce its carbon emissions by 78% by 2035. However, the latest goal aims to bring the UK down to net-zero by 2050.
Electric cars and EV charge points are a crucial part of reducing our carbon footprint. Although the number of public charge points installed in the UK have increased significantly over the years, few are equipped to service disabled people.
To achieve the ambitious electric car targets set by the government, EV charge points must be accessible to all UK citizens. In June 2021, the government partnered with the British Standards Institution and Motability to create new accessibility standards for EV charge points.
So, how inclusive are UK EV charge points? Below we consider the benefits of the new national charge point standards.
Why Does the UK Need New Standards for EV Charge Points?
A report by Motability revealed that one in three of the disabled individuals surveyed have difficulty locating a public charge point that they can use. Motability estimates that there will be nearly 3 million disabled drivers and passengers in the UK by 2035. Unless the EV charge point standards change, most Britons with disabilities will not have reliable access to a charge point.
At present, EV charge points do not consider the needs of differently-abled users. Public charge points have heavy cables, high kerbs, small parking spaces, and some connectors require force to attach to electric vehicles. Charge points that are designed without the disabled in mind will not be accessible to people with mobility impairments, dexterity impairments, or the larger vehicles used by many disabled drivers.
Thus, the new national standards will allow for public EV charge points to become better designed so that they can meet the needs of the disabled too. The change to the individual charge points aims to make EV charging more inclusive and accessible by the summer of 2022.
Receive an Accessible EV Charge Point from Applegarth Today
Applegarth has been providing renewable energy solutions since 2006. We aim to provide high-quality services that meet the unique needs of each of our clients, including tailoring your charge point to better match your individual requirements.
Our services start with a personalised consultation or site visit, which allows us to get to know our clients. We take special care to understand your accessibility needs and install EV charge points that fit into your routine seamlessly.
As an OLEV-approved installation company, we stay on top of all new government installation standards. Our accreditation allows us to provide high-quality installations that meet industry standards.
We can also provide support and guidance for Electric Homecharge Vehicle Scheme (EVHS) and Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) grant applications. Our experienced team members have successfully guided many customers through the OLEV grant and charge point installation process, and they can do the same for you.
Get in Touch for Your Free, No-Obligation Consultation
If you are looking for an experienced EV installation company for your accessible home-based EV charge point, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our friendly and approachable team.
You can contact us today on 0151 649 8350 or email us at info@applegarth.co.uk, and we will happily discuss your requirement and book you in for an obligation-free quotation.
