A significant portion of local councils in Britain are failing to provide electric vehicle (EV) charging points that meet the accessibility needs of disabled drivers, according to recent research. Seventy-five percent of councils do not currently offer charging devices specifically adapted for drivers with accessibility requirements or those that conform to recognized accessibility standards, such as the British Standards Institution's PAS 1899:2022.
This lack of accessible infrastructure comes at a time when the number of councils offering on-street EV charging has doubled over the past year. Vauxhall's research, based on Freedom of Information requests, found that 49 out of 194 responding councils now have accessible on-street charge points, an increase from just 24 councils in 2025. The number of on-street EV chargers located within disabled parking bays has also more than doubled since 2024, rising from 105 to 245.
Despite this progress, an estimated 15 percent of on-street chargers are now specifically adapted for disabled drivers, and 14 percent conform to PAS 1899:2022 accessibility guidance. Vauxhall UK managing director Eurig Druce acknowledged the encouraging increase in accessible charging provision but stressed that more work is needed to ensure all motorists can access charging facilities as the UK electrifies its transport system.
The availability of accessible charging remains uneven across the UK. While over half of responding councils indicated that their charging strategies consider disabled and elderly residents, the actual provision varies significantly. For instance, the North West region had only 43 accessible on-street chargers, while Scotland had 14, in stark contrast to London's 2,131.
Dundee Council has been highlighted as a positive example for its accessible charging hub on Clepington Road. Designed in partnership with Swarco E.Connect Smart Charging and with input from disabled drivers and charities, the hub meets BSI PAS 1899:2022 guidelines. It features larger spaces, longer cables, and level access, avoiding raised plinths or bollards to accommodate users with accessibility requirements. This initiative was noted in 2024 when only 2 percent of on-street chargers in Britain met accessibility guidelines, with Dundee being a frontrunner.