A disabled driver in Edinburgh has had to revert back to petrol after struggles with using an electric vehicle. Shae Morgon has a connective tissue disorder that affects mobility, and initially chose a fully electric Nissan Leaf to reduce environmental impact. However, when a larger electric wheelchair became necessary as the condition deteriorated, the couple realised their main power chair wouldn’t fit into the car, causing them to switch to a wheelchair-accessible petrol vehicle. It was discovered that the wheelchair-accessible vehicle that best fits their needs is the petrol Berlingo, which has an advanced payment of £4,000 to Motability Operations Ltd. In contrast, the equivalent payment for the electric version was £10,000, making it impossible on an income of disability benefits.
Despite thousands of charging points distributed across Scotland, they could be yet another source of frustration for disabled people. Shae explained that most of the chargers are situated at the side of the kerb, meaning they are inaccessible for a wheelchair. Although Scotland’s national electric vehicle charging network, Charge Place Scotland is owned and developed by the Scottish government who funded the installation of 2,700 charging points since 2011, it has only recently worked on developing standards for accessible chargers.
By 2035, an estimated 2.7 million disabled people in the UK will either be drivers or passengers of electric vehicles, with half of them expected to depend on public charging infrastructure. However, disabled drivers and disabled people’s organisations have raised concerns that this infrastructure is not accessible, adding another challenge in the transition to electric vehicles. Many argue that the poor charging network for disabled drivers in the green transition is inexcusable. Although the UK government-backed Motability Scheme supported about 700,000 customers with an electric, hybrid, petrol, or diesel model, the prohibitive costs, and poor accessible charging infrastructure remain significant challenges for disabled motorists transitioning to EVs. Many feel left behind by the industry that has failed to prioritise inclusive design
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