Motability says electric vehicle charging must be 'accessible'

Steve Ray, 71, lives in the Colchester Borough Homes (CBH) owned accommodation in West Bergholt and is a Motability driver on behalf of his son-in-law who as a veteran, is blind, deaf, and also has a form of dementia.

Mr Ray said he was told by Motability that he could receive an electric vehicle despite not having a private use charging point.

A private charging point would also save money as it costs on average 79p per kwh from a public point compared to 42p per kwh at a private point.

Motability- Motability is overseen by a charity which aims to enable disabled people, and their families and carers to lease new cars (Image: Newsquest) Mr Ray added: “I am grateful to Colchester Borough Homes for their help, but still nobody has come round to look to survey, to look at this as an individual case.

"Six out of the eight of the flats here could have cables installed without being a risk to public safety."

A Motability spokesman said: “If a customer chooses to lease an EV on the Scheme, the cost of a home charge point and standard installation is covered, or alternatively if someone cannot charge at home, a subscription to a network of public charge points.

“All EV customers also receive exclusive access to the Motability Go charge card and app, which makes paying for and finding public charging easier.

Cables - Steve Ray has offered to cover the costs of the cables which cuts through his grass and therefore not impacting access (Image: Newsquest) The spokesman said that for the EVs to work for everyone, there is “an urgent need to address the barriers preventing disabled people from being able to successfully use electric vehicles.

Motability also said that their research shows that by 2035, 50 per cent of disabled people will be reliant on the public charging network which “to date has not been designed with their needs in mind and is largely inaccessible”.

While by 2035, new diesel and petrol vehicles will no longer be sold in the UK meaning accessible EV’s chargers are needed for all including disabled people and those who use the Motability Scheme.  

The spokesman added: “We appreciate the challenges that landlords face around the installation of electric vehicle charging facilities for houses or flats that are not able to have standard installations.

“However, we would encourage all landlords, be them private or local authority or councils, to work with their tenants to find ways to enable them to install charge points.”

Flats - Flats owned by Colchester Borough Homes currently have a blanket ban for electric vehicle charging points (Image: Newsquest) A spokesman for CBH homes said: “Currently, CBH’s policy is that EV charging points may be installed where there is a designated off-street parking space with a dropped kerb and hardstanding, and where the installation meets safety and compliance standards.

“Unfortunately, this option is not available to residents of flats at this time, as shared housing spaces present unique challenges. For instance, laying cables across shared areas, such as pavements or communal pathways, poses accessibility and safety risks that need to be carefully managed.

The spokesman also said association has “working closely” with Essex County Council’s EV charger supplier to provide and install chargers on CBH’s estates, with an announcement hoped for soon.