“The move towards greater EV use provides economic opportunities for the UK automotive industry, but also provides a chance to build an automotive future that is inclusive and accessible for all. It is only by ensuring that EVs are a suitable choice for everyone will the sector be able to maximise on the opportunity that the transition represents.
“As an organisation supporting 800,000 customers and their families to keep them moving every day, we are already seeing the impact that the electric transition is having on the automotive sector and the pace of change required to ensure it is a success. We recognise the essential journey that we need to go on and the action we need to take to ensure the UK can transition to electric. Motability Operations is investing £300 million to ensure our customers have access to affordable EVs and are not left behind.
“We welcome the report’s call for collaboration between industry and Government, and Motability Operations is committed to shaping industry conversations as we work towards a more inclusive transition. It is important that accessibility is a key factor in EV infrastructure planning, to ensure that charging points are practical and available for everyone. Our customers are representative of the wider UK population, and so our approach will always be informed by our customers’ experience to ensure we are advocating for solutions that work for all.”
Further information
• Motability Operations is the largest vehicle leasing company in the UK. Motability Operations deliver the Motability Scheme, where people receiving a qualifying disability allowance can choose an affordable and accessible vehicle. The Scheme is overseen by the charity, the Motability Foundation, who fund, support, research and innovate to help all disabled people make the journeys they choose.
• The Motability Foundation is working to ensure that every public chargepoint is accessible to disabled people. This is vital as it is estimated there will be 2.7 million disabled drivers in the UK by 2035, and up to 50% of these people will be wholly or partially reliant on public charging infrastructure.
• The Motability Foundation partnered with the UK Government to co-sponsor the accessibility standard for public EV chargepoints, BSI PAS 1899, which was published in October 2022. It provides a minimum accessible standard for all types of chargepoint, and was developed by experts working with disabled people, industry bodies, manufacturers, chargepoint operators and disability advocacy groups.
