Driving the Future: Making EVs and Charging Infrastructure Accessible for All
On this International Day of People With a Disability. I’ve been in pretty deep thought about our country's continuing move toward an all-electric vehicle (EV) future; and just what and just what an incredible opportunity we have to build a system that works for everyone.
EVs promise a cleaner, more economical way to travel, but we can’t ignore one crucial part of the equation: accessibility for people with a disability. For many, EVs represent a revolutionary step forward in mobility and independence if, and only if, the vehicles and charging infrastructure are designed with inclusivity at their core. Right now, there are glaring gaps that need addressing to make this future a reality.
EVs themselves offer features that can make driving much easier for people with a disability. Smoother acceleration, quieter operation, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS)—like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, and automated emergency braking—reduce the physical and mental strain of driving. These are transformative benefits for people with limited mobility, chronic pain, or sensory impairments. However, these advantages fade quickly when you can’t get into the car easily, find the controls don’t suit your needs, or encounter inaccessible charging stations that make using public infrastructure a frustrating ordeal.
When we talk about EV charging, it’s not just about plugging in—it’s about creating a seamless experience that ensures everyone, regardless of physical or cognitive needs, can participate in the shift to a sustainable future. Charging infrastructure is fast becoming the backbone of the EV revolution. If public charging points aren’t accessible, a significant portion of the population is effectively excluded. And, accessibility isn’t as simple as ramps and wide parking spaces. People live with a wide variety of disabilities, each with unique challenges and needs.
For example, while a wheelchair user might need a charging station with wide, level parking bays and low-mounted chargers, someone with limited grip strength might struggle with the weight of charging cables. A person with a cognitive impairment might need an intuitive interface with clear, step-by-step instructions. Meanwhile, neurodivergent individuals might require environments that minimise sensory overload, such as bright lights and loud noises. Accessibility isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept—it’s about designing for the full spectrum of human experience.
Accessible EV charging isn’t just about convenience—it’s about independence and participation. Reliable, accessible charging infrastructure enables people with disabilities to get to work, attend appointments, and visit family and friends without barriers. Without this infrastructure, EVs remain out of reach for millions of Australians, leaving them reliant on higher-emission vehicles that are costly to maintain and less environmentally friendly.
In Australia, these challenges are amplified by our unique geography and dispersed population. While urban centres like Sydney and Melbourne are seeing more EV charging stations, rural and regional areas are still underserved. For people with disabilities in these areas, where transport options are already limited, the lack of accessible EV infrastructure compounds existing inequities. Without deliberate and inclusive planning, the EV revolution risks leaving a large and diverse part of our population behind.
Thankfully, there are organisations working to bridge the gap. The Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) has been a driving force in advocating for accessible EV infrastructure. Through its Disability Inclusion Policy, AEVA outlines practical, actionable steps to ensure accessibility is embedded in the design of EVs and charging stations. This isn’t just theoretical—it’s a call to action for governments, businesses, and advocacy groups to work together and prioritise inclusivity.
Disability advocacy groups like People With Disability Australia (PWDA) and the Australian Network on Disability (AND) are also playing a critical role. They bring expertise, lived experience, and an understanding of diverse disability needs to the table, helping shape policies and infrastructure that genuinely work for everyone. Their efforts ensure that the voices of people with disabilities are heard, not as an afterthought but as an integral part of the decision-making process.
Private companies are starting to join the conversation too. Charging networks like Evie Networks and Chargefox are actively exploring how their infrastructure can be made more accessible. From rethinking parking layouts and experimenting with user-friendly charger designs to tackling issues like cable weight, these efforts show that change is possible when accessibility is treated as a priority rather than a box to tick.
But we don’t need to start from scratch. Other countries are already showing us what’s possible. In the UK, new regulations require all public charging points to meet accessibility standards by the end of 2024. These include practical features like lower-mounted chargers, tactile paving for people with vision impairments, lighting considerations and longer cables to accommodate different vehicle designs. It’s not just about meeting a requirement—it’s about creating infrastructure that works for everyone.
Across Europe, accessibility is increasingly recognised as a core part of sustainability. Norway and Germany are investing heavily in retrofitting older charging stations and designing new ones with universal access in mind. These countries understand that inclusive infrastructure benefits not just people with disabilities but society as a whole.
Closer to home, New Zealand offers an inspiring example through community-led initiatives like “Plug-N-Go” in Southland. These projects involve disability advocates from the start, resulting in charging hubs that genuinely meet the needs of all users. Thoughtful design doesn’t have to be complicated—it just requires consultation and intention.
So, what does this mean for Australia? First, we need national standards for EV accessibility. These standards must address physical aspects like charger height, cable weight, and parking bay dimensions, as well as digital elements like intuitive payment systems and user interfaces. Importantly, these standards should reflect the diverse needs of all people with disabilities—not just those with visible challenges.
Government support will be key. Funding incentives can encourage businesses to retrofit existing charging stations and build new ones that meet accessibility standards. Regional areas must be a priority, with targeted programs to address the unique challenges posed by distance and lower population density. Pilot projects in rural Australia could test scalable solutions and help identify what works best in different contexts.
Equally vital is involving people with disabilities at every step of the process. Their lived experience provides insights that no amount of theoretical planning can replicate. By collaborating with diverse disability groups, we can create solutions that are effective, practical, and inclusive.
Education and training for policymakers, manufacturers, and charging network operators are also critical. Understanding the diverse barriers faced by people with disabilities is the first step to creating infrastructure that works for everyone. Accessibility shouldn’t be a reactive fix—it should be a proactive design principle.
Imagine an Australia where every charging station is accessible, every EV can be adapted to meet a driver’s needs, and no one is left behind because of poorly placed chargers, complex payment systems, narrow parking bays and vehicles designed without consideration. It’s not just a hopeful dream—it’s entirely achievable.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rethink how we design and use transportation. It’s about more than just reducing emissions—it’s about building a system that truly works for everyone. As we move forward, let’s ensure that no one is left behind in this transition. It’s time to drive the future—together.
Engaging and amplifying the leadership of disability community leaders and advocates is essential if we’re serious about creating a sustainable and inclusive EV future. These are the people with lived experience and the insight to address the challenges faced by such a diverse group.
The theme of this International Day of People with Disability is Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future. It’s a reminder that inclusion starts with listening to the voices that know what’s needed and acting on their guidance.
If we want an EV future that works for everyone, we need to make sure these leaders are part of every decision that shapes it. If you are interested in finding out how we can make this happen now in the work that we do in our daily lives and meet IDPwD’s wonderful ambassadors for 2024 you can visit:
Please remember, at its core, together conveys unity and collaboration.
Togetherness should never be an afterthought!
