A UK EV Charging startup is calling for urgent improvements to accessibility across the UK’s electric vehicle infrastructure, as millions of disabled drivers continue to face barriers to charging and independent mobility.
ONEEV Group knows firsthand that the UK’s transition to electric vehicles is accelerating, supported by government targets and rising consumer demand. However, for many disabled drivers, the infrastructure is still failing to meet basic accessibility needs.
There are approximately 16 million disabled people in the UK, with more than 5.6 million currently in employment, contributing through consumer spending, taxes and essential workforce roles. People with disabilities represent a significant and often underestimated economic force, yet their needs are routinely overlooked.
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Households with at least one disabled person have a combined annual spending power of around £274 billion, known as the “purple pound”, according to Scope UK. Even so, the design and rollout of public EV charging infrastructure continue to fall short of the practical needs of disabled drivers. In the EV sector, common accessibility barriers include:
- Charging bays that are too narrow for wheelchair access
- Screens and payment systems positioned too high or difficult to reach
- Heavy charging cables that limit independent use
- Inaccessible infrastructure for Motability users who rent privately or through local authority and are unable to install home chargers
While electric vehicles are often promoted as the future of sustainable transport, many public chargepoints remain difficult or impossible to use for people with mobility limitations. Government-backed guidance such as BSI PAS 1899 sets out how charging points can be designed to meet accessibility needs. However, these standards are not mandatory, resulting in inconsistent provision across the country.
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For founders Tim Moore and Lyndon Gough, accessibility is a core priority. Their app helps drivers locate and navigate charging points more easily, reducing some of the stress and uncertainty many disabled users experience when charging away from home.
Moore said, “electric vehicles should represent progress for everyone, not just those without mobility challenges. Our app helps make charging easier, but the wider industry must do more. Accessibility should be standard, not an afterthought. An accessible EV future is not just the right thing to do socially. It also makes strong business sense. Excluding disabled drivers means excluding millions of potential customers.”
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Accordingly, he and Gough are urging chargepoint manufacturers, operators, local authorities and policymakers to adopt inclusive design principles and embed accessibility into every stage of EV charging infrastructure development.
They are also welcoming the opportunity to hear from people with lived experience about how further progress can be made and contribute to the national conversation on how to ensure the EV evolution works for everyone.