Able-bodied people often forget that for a significant portion of the population, daily tasks such as filling up at the petrol station, or getting an electric vehicle plugged and unplugged at a charging station, can be difficult or impossible.

Unfortunately, not all charging points are easily accessible for people living with a disability. The height of the screen can be problematic, as well as the mobility needed to operate the charging cables. Charging point locations may not have accessible bathrooms or rest points, which would be necessary on longer trips.

Here we look at evidence that challenges the industry to consider access needs at every step of the design process. 

What people with a disability are saying

An innovation consultancy in the UK – Urban Foresight – recently commissioned an online survey which included older people and those living with a physical impairment that affects their mobility or dexterity, such as arthritis, muscle disease, impaired motor control, using a wheelchair, crutches or other walking aid.  

The research explored various aspects of the charging process, such as removing the charge cable from the car, opening the charge flap/inserting the cable and plugging in the car point, all of which presented barriers to disabled and older drivers.  

• 54% of respondents felt that lifting the charge cable from the boot and then having to close it would either be difficult or very difficult 
• 41% of respondents felt that manoeuvring the cable to the charge point would be difficult or very difficult  
• 66% of respondents felt that space or trip hazards around the car and charger would either be difficult or very difficult to navigate 

This research also highlighted connection points being far too high for a wheelchair user and concerns about being able to manage to connect a heavy cable. 

The research offered a range of solutions put forward by participants including a built-in retractable cable in the car or charge unit, ensuring the position of the charge flap is accessible and ensuring clear wheelchair access from the car to charge point.

How Europe is addressing the problem

Disabled drivers in the UK also currently face “a host of problems” using public EV charging, ranging from confusing instructions on payment, to heavy charging cables and limited space to move around in charging bays.

However, they could soon find it easier to use electric car charging points in the United Kingdom, thanks to a new consultation opened by the government investigating their accessibility.

The consultation will establish a new standard for electric car chargers, addressing various access barriers, including the height of charge points, the weight of cables and the tilt angle of any screens, with the goal of improving usability for people in wheelchairs.

Ford testing robotic EV

According to Ford, a comprehensive study in Europe showed that 61 percent of disabled drivers would only buy an EV if it were made easier to charge.

That’s why Ford is now working on a robotic charging station that could help disabled drivers with the electric-vehicle charging process in future. It would allow drivers to park near the robot, as at any other pump or charger, and allow the camera-guided robot to guide itself into the charge port.

Ford says its robotic charging station could potentially be installed in parking ramps and disabled parking spaces, used to power fleets, or be installed at customers’ homes. It’s a research project for now, but Ford intends to do a “follow-up project” with Ionity – a European charging network, to make further improvements to the idea which sounds promising.

What other car manufacturers are doing

This is not the first effort by an automaker to roboticize the charging process. A company called EV Safe Charge is working to deploy a robot charging station named Ziggy to dominate EV charging in parking ramps. Unlike the Ford, Ziggy does not have the ability to plug in or out on its own. And both Tesla (with a metal “snake charger” that plugs itself in) and Volkswagen have piloted similar robotic setups in the past.

Looking ahead, the process could become fully automated, with minimal or no driver involvement. The driver would simply send the vehicle to the charging station, with the infrastructure ensuring it reaches and returns from its destination autonomously. Although the company made it clear that this is not intended for production and sale, it does show the focus is on making the EV operation process more accessible to more future customers.

Expiry date on petrol cars looming

The Australian Capital Territory has officially become the nation’s first state or territory to announce a date for the end of petrol and diesel vehicle sales – 2035. The Committee for Sydney has also announced its plan to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2027 in a bid to reach net zero emissions by 2050. With the end date fast approaching, it is now more important than ever for the car manufacturing industry to make the transition to electric cars a smooth and inclusive one.

Specialist advice

Access Link is a specialist disability access consultancy providing an all-inclusive service to help developers, builders, and owners construct and/or retrofit spaces that are accessible to everyone. Call us on (02) 8319 4616 to enquire about our services today.