Three-quarters of local councils in Britain do not have electric vehicle charging points that are accessible for disabled drivers, despite an increase in such facilities over the past year. This deficiency means many disabled individuals are being left behind as the country transitions to electric cars.
Vauxhall's research, based on Freedom of Information requests to 194 councils, found that only 49 reported having on-street charge points adapted for users with accessibility needs or those conforming to the British Standards Institution's PAS 1899:2022 accessible charging standard. This marks an improvement from 2025, when only 24 councils reported having such facilities.
The number of on-street EV chargers located within disabled parking bays has more than doubled since 2024, rising from 105 to 245. Currently, an estimated 15 percent of on-street chargers are specifically adapted for disabled drivers, with an additional 14 percent meeting the PAS 1899:2022 accessibility guidance.
Despite these gains, experts argue that more progress is needed to ensure public charging is accessible for all drivers. While over half of the responding councils indicated that their charging strategies consider disabled and elderly residents, the provision of accessible charging remains inconsistent across the UK. For example, Vauxhall's research identified just 43 accessible on-street chargers in the North West and 14 in Scotland, contrasting sharply with 2,131 in London.
Eurig Druce, managing director of Vauxhall UK, acknowledged the progress but emphasized the need for continued effort. "As more drivers make the switch to electric vehicles, we need to ensure all motorists can easily find and access charge points if we are to bring everyone on the UK's electrification journey," Druce stated.
Dundee Council in Scotland has been highlighted as an example of best practice. Its Clepington Road charging hub was designed in consultation with disabled drivers and charities to meet the BSI PAS 1899:2022 guidelines. Features include longer cables, larger parking spaces, and level access, with no raised plinths or bollards, making it user-friendly for individuals with accessibility requirements. This initiative was recognized in 2024 when only 2 percent of on-street chargers in Britain met accessibility guidelines, with Dundee being a leader in that small percentage.