Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) and leading charity Disabled Motoring UK have partnered to help support more blue badge holders get on the road with electric vehicles (EVs).
Interviews with disabled and vulnerable motorists, and automotive industry experts and organisations have identified four barriers stopping disabled motorists making the switch to EVs.
These include the accessibility of charge points, costs (both upfront and for modifications), range anxiety, including the concern they’d be more vulnerable if their EVs ran out of charge, and different manufacturers and charging compatibilities which need more support.
Whilst some of the barriers are similar to those commonly identified by other drivers, additional provisions and considerations are needed for disabled drivers. For example having nearby charging stations is important, but for disabled drivers the weight of cables, height of charging stations, and suitability of parking arrangements also need to be factored in.
SSEN and Disabled Motoring UK have worked together on a report – Equal EV – which brings together the key areas for industry, manufacturers, and operators to address and will now work with others to support more disabled motorists on the road with EVs.
The report highlights a range of potential solutions to support a fair and inclusive transition to net zero. This includes implementing common standards, making accessible chargepoints clear, ensuring kerbs where possible are dropped, and exploring the potential of wireless charging. There is also an opportunity to use EVs as back up sources of power during supply interruptions which can provide peace of mind for those that depend on electricity for medical equipment. The report identifies a need for collaborative action between industry, government, network operators and stakeholders in addressing these barriers and seizing opportunities created by this transition.
Lisa Doogan, Head of Customer Service and Stakeholder Strategy at SSEN said:
“We are committed to supporting our customers in a fair and equitable transition to net zero. With millions of blue badge holders throughout the UK, Equal EV is delivering key findings for how vulnerable and disabled motorists can be supported in the transition to EVs.
“We are proud to be playing a leading role in the transition to EVs for disabled and vulnerable motorists. The project’s next phase will seek to address the obstacles and barriers identified and seize the opportunity to create a fair and accessible net zero future for all.”
Decarbonising transport is critical to reaching the UK and Scottish Government’s ambitious net zero targets. Transport is the UK’s highest emitting sector, accounting for around a third of UK carbon emissions annually and with the ban of new diesel and petrol vehicles by 2030, more and more motorists will be making the switch to EVs.
SSE plc’s 2030 goal is to build the infrastructure to help get more than 10million EVs on the road.
It’s vital the quest for net zero doesn’t leave anyone behind. There are approximately 2.9 million blue badge holders in 2020 in the UK and SSEN is strongly committed to supporting a cost-effective, secure, and inclusive transition to net zero, ensuring opportunities are open to all customers and infrastructure is developed in a fair and accessible manner.
The partnership with Disabled Motoring UK will now bring together automotive and chargepoint industry groups and manufacturers, and national and local governments, to identify solutions.
The full report on Equal EV’s first phase can be found here. Equal EV is an 18-month Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) project which began November 2020 and secured £310,000 in NIA funding.