Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he will take to increase the availability of electric charging points for mobility vehicles.

The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) are working with Motability and manufacturers to ensure that the availability of electric vehicles accessible for people with disabilities increases as we move towards 2030.

We have consulted on using our powers under the Automated Electric Vehicles Act (2018) to mandate minimum standards, such as payment method, to improve the consumer experience of public charging. We are publishing the response to the consultation soon and will lay the consumer experience legislation in the new year.

OZEV are partnering with national disability charity Motability to commission the British Standards Institution (BSI) to develop accessibility standards for public EV chargepoints across the country. These standards, to be finalised by summer 2022, will provide industry with guidance and drivers with a new clear definition of ‘fully accessible’, ‘partially accessible’ and ‘not accessible’ public EV chargepoints.

Guidance will consider aspects such as kerb height, adequate space between bollards and chargepoints being of a height suitable for wheelchair users. By ensuring consistent standards, drivers will be able to more easily identify which chargepoints are suitable for their needs. We have also consulted on introducing accessibility requirements at EV chargepoints via the Future of Transport Regulatory Review consultation. The consultation closed on 22nd November.

The Government will also provide over £1.3 billion over the next four years to support the continued roll-out of chargepoints on motorways and major A roads, in homes and businesses and on-street.