Published: 22 May 2024

Go Charge launches to simplify public EV charging

Category: EVs •Innovation •Partnerships

Motability Operations partners with innovative tech company Paua to improve public charging for over 48,000 Motability Scheme customers.

Motability Operations is the organisation that delivers the life changing Motability Scheme to over 760,000 customers across the UK
Simplified charging payment innovation from the UKs largest fleet owner and Paua is improving the charging experience for disabled EV customers
The free app and card provide an easy one-stop solution for accessing and paying for over 70% of all rapid chargepoints across the UK, with no subscription fees
Positive customer pilot results show that a simplified payment solution is key to an inclusive EV transition

Motability Operations has launched Motability Go Charge, an innovative solution to simplify public EV charging for its customers.

Customers can use the Go Charge app to check which chargepoints are available in real time, filter chargers based on connector type and speed, track charging costs over time and provide in the moment support for chargepoint or payment issues. Go Charge delivers a one-stop solution for accessing and paying for public charging for EV customers on the Motability Scheme, with no subscription fees and no pre-authorisation required.

As the Governments ZEV mandate approaches, manufacturer lines are changing quickly. More Electric Vehicles (EVs) are being produced resulting in fewer yet more expensive choices of petrol and diesel cars. However, the EV transition has highlighted specific challenges for disabled drivers. Half of the 760,000 Motability Scheme customers lack access to off-street parking and with limited accessible and affordable public charging available, many customers could find themselves unable to make the switch.

Despite these challenges, the company remains focused on supporting its customers through the transition. That’s why it has partnered with several startups, including Paua, to pilot schemes which can help many of its disabled customers overcome some of the barriers to electric, especially the 48,000 customers which have already made the switch.

Paying for public chargepoints can be especially challenging for Scheme customers. The Go Charge app and card streamlines EV payments at more than 45,000 chargepoints across the UK. This includes chargepoints from operators including GRIDSERVE, Source London, ChargePlace Scotland, ESB, Geniepoint, Shell Recharge, Osprey and many more, covering over 50% of all chargepoints in the UK and 70% of all rapid chargepoints, with ongoing efforts to expand coverage.

Andrew Miller, chief executive at Motability Operations, said:

“Our customers have told us that paying for public charging is difficult, with the need for multiple app downloads, complicated payment systems and costly subscriptions all creating a barrier to the transition to EV.

“We also know that collaboration is key to make the EV transition successful, that’s why we have partnered with companies like Paua and several others to find innovative solutions for our disabled customers.

“On top of this, we have committed £300m to support the affordability of EVs and are working with local authorities to help plan for accessible public charging infrastructure.”

Go Charge will now roll out automatically to every EV customer on the Motability Scheme. Customers will be sent the card and user guide when they order their EV. Following a successful pilot in 2023, where Motability Operations gathered extensive data and insights during a nine-month pilot period with 5,000 customers to understand the specific challenges its disabled customers face when charging their EV using public chargepoints.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

About Motability Go Charge

Nearly 12,000 transactions were completed during the pilot and the feedback received from users was overwhelmingly positive. 1 in 5 customers used Go Charge more than 10 times during the pilot period and 4 in 5 customers surveyed were either Satisfied (51.7%) or Very Satisfied (28.8%) with the process. The high satisfaction rates among participants demonstrates that Go Charge has potential to inspire innovations that continue to champion an accessible EV transition for all.

About Motability Operations

We are the company that delivers the Motability Scheme to over 760,000 disabled people and their families, helping them access independent mobility.

Since we began running the Motability Scheme 45 years ago, we have helped more than 5 million people get moving. People who receive higher or enhanced mobility allowance can join the scheme. They decide to use their allowance to choose from a wide range of cars, wheelchair accessible vehicles, powered wheelchairs or scooters.

Our scale and relationship with manufacturers makes sure we provide the very best technology and design.

Customers lease their vehicle for 3-5 years in a worry-free package that includes insurance, servicing, tyres and breakdown cover. At the end of the lease, they can choose a brand-new vehicle and we remarket their old vehicle at the best possible price. We are the largest supplier of used cars in the UK.

We don’t pay shareholder dividends and the money we make is invested back into benefitting our customers and disabled mobility.

We pride ourselves on knowing and understanding our customers and have expectational customer service at the heart of everything we do. We have an average of 9.6/10 customer satisfaction rating.