A TEAM GB legend has fumed about a major problem with electric cars, saying drivers are being “ignored”.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, who uses a wheelchair and won 11 Paralympic gold medals, has pointed out that electric vehicle (EV) charging points have severe accessibility issues.
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson said that the accessibility needs of EV owners are being ‘ignored’@Tanni_GT/Twitter
Baroness Grey-Thompson has said that the problem has forced her to opt for a diesel car because the access needs of disabled people are being “ignored”.
She tweeted a picture of two charging stations, set on top of a concrete step, simply captioned: “This is why I can’t change to an electric car“.
The wheelchair racing icon later elaborated, saying: “It’s really simple – I can’t reach them.
“The problems are… the step, it’s the barrier. Some of the bays are quite busy but I have to be able to open my car door really wide.
“A lot of places don’t accommodate for that.”
The Department of Transport’s official advice is that all charging points should be reachable.
However, Baroness Grey-Thompson claimed that these rules aren’t being followed.
She fumed: “I want to know what the government is doing to make sure they [charging points] are accessible.
“There was a big announcement about charging points but what is happening to make sure they are accessible?
“If they aren’t accessible I would have to take someone with me – it’s just ridiculous – accessibility is being ignored.
“I can look on my sat nav and find a garage and some pay points but if they are not accessible, I don’t know what I would do – I would just run out of charge.”
EVs are set to become standard in the UK, with the Government’s pledge to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030.
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: “We want everyone to be able to make the switch to electric vehicles and public charge points should be an accessible height with adequate space.
“Last year a government-backed national standard was published to help the industry create and install charge points that everyone can use easily, making the experience better and fairer across the UK.”