UK EV charging network must be 'accessible to all'

21 February 2022 | David Young

Which? has released its Electric Vehicle Charging Report which stated that public charging should be simple, reliable, totally open-access, and meet the needs of the drivers first and foremost

UK EV charging network must be 'accessible to all'

Improving the minimum standards for electric vehicle charging bays in the UK has been a hot topic this year. Last month the AA began campaigning for increased safety and accessibility for all EV charging bays and a star rating programme was also launched by ChargeSafe.

More recently Motability (the charity that helps disabled people acquire vehicles) has partnered with OZEV (the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) to develop new BSI accessible charging standards (PAS 1899) for charging bays, which are scheduled to be published for consultation in March.

Osprey Charging, one of the fastest-growing UK networks of rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging points, is in the unique position of being on the board reviewing the 'PAS 1899' minimum standards for charging bays and is passionate about making the UK's EV charging network accessible to all.

Ian Johnston, the CEO of Osprey Charging said:"Osprey's mission is to provide safe, reliable and accessible EV charging for all. That means well-lit sites, chargers that you can rely on and the ability for wheelchairs and anyone with reduced mobility to have the space and access to charge, pay and enjoy our facilities. Obviously, this is being built in to all our new sites in development and we're working with landlords and Motability to achieve this. But we're also going back to existing sites, upgrading hardware and increasing space and access wherever possible."

If you're able to feature this comment or would like an interview with Ian on the topic of making the UK's charging network more accessible, then please do let me know. Some suggested talking points for the chat with Ian are:

  • Where the national charging network falls short when it comes to accessibility & safety, and why this is
  • "Accessibility for all" – why the industry needs to change and embrace this mantra in 2022
  • Key accessibility & safety learnings from building 4 high-power charging hubs to date (and over 170 'compact' sites), and how these insights will be drawn upon when reviewing the 'PAS 1899' minimum standards

Ian can also chat more broadly about improving UK charging network to help reduce consumers' charging anxiety and share his vision for the Osprey including its roll-out of 150 rapid electric vehicle charging hubs across UK over the next four years.

More: Electric Vehicle Charging Report