Auditing accessibility across London’s EV charging network

As the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) accelerates, ensuring that public charging infrastructure is accessible to all drivers is critical not only to meeting net zero targets but to supporting social inclusion.

In London, commercial vehicle drivers are around 10% more likely to rely on public charging than private car users, largely due to limited access to private charging. By 2035, an estimated 1.35 million disabled drivers or passengers in the UK will depend on public charging infrastructure.

While the PAS 1899 accessibility standard, published in 2022, provides guidance for accessible EV charging, implementation, particularly for on-street locations, remains challenging. Concerns also persist around levels of compliance and the availability of reliable accessibility data, especially for users with additional needs.

What we did

Steer, supported by the Research Institute of Disabled Consumers (RiDC) and Tracsis, delivered a comprehensive accessibility study commissioned by Transport for London (TfL) to assess public chargepoints across Greater London.

The study aimed to:

• Develop a robust framework for high-level accessibility surveying, informed by stakeholder engagement
• Provide a snapshot of accessibility across a representative sample of London’s chargepoints
• Generate practical recommendations to improve infrastructure and the way accessibility data is shared

Key activities included:

• Engagement with disabled drivers, LCV drivers, and fleet managers through surveys, interviews, and focus groups
• Persona development to reflect a wide range of user needs
• Audits of over 2,000 chargepoints, using co-designed survey questions mapped to PAS 1899 and stakeholder priorities

What we found

Variation in chargepoint accessibility

Accessibility varied significantly across London’s charging network. Off-street locations, outer boroughs, and higher-powered chargepoints generally performed better — reflecting greater space, newer installations, and fewer physical constraints.

The largest differences between on-street and off-street locations are related to:

• Bay dimensions
• Connector information
• Availability of nearby amenities within a two-minute walk

Disabled drivers’ priorities

Disabled drivers highlighted the importance of:

• Clear information on cable specifications and component heights
• Level access, dropped kerbs, and unobstructed bays
• Tethered cables and rapid charging, particularly at commercial car parks and service stations

Users also expressed a strong need for filterable, reliable information, ideally supported by photos, to assess whether a chargepoint meets their individual needs. Trust in existing data sources was consistently low.

Commercial vehicle users

LCV drivers and fleet managers emphasised:

• Access to rapid charging and secure parking
• Adequate bay dimensions and the absence of height restrictions
• Better integration of information, including real-time availability and the ability to book charging slots

Fragmented data across multiple platforms was a recurring challenge.

Audit results

Across the 13 accessibility metrics assessed at each chargepoint, the average accessibility score was 51%, meaning that for a typical chargepoint, around half of the assessed criteria were not met.

Key findings included:

• Off-street chargepoints outperformed on-street locations
• Outer boroughs scored higher than inner boroughs
• Accessibility generally improved with increasing chargepoint speed

The highest score recorded was 92%, achieved by a rapid, off-street chargepoint in an outer London borough.

Key takeaways

• Audit insights: The lowest-scoring metrics related to bay dimensions, cable management, connector information, clarity of instructions, and site restrictions (including height barriers, private parking, limited opening hours, and parking charges).
• Infrastructure improvements: Local authorities are encouraged to review and retrofit priority accessibility features and embed them more strongly within procurement processes. Relatively modest interventions — such as improved signage, clearer instructions, and better connector information — can deliver meaningful improvements.
• Accessibility data: Users need tailored, filterable, and trustworthy chargepoint information, supported by up-to-date photographs. Integrating accessibility data into platforms such as Zapmap would significantly improve user confidence and decision-making.

Impact

This study demonstrates Steer’s commitment to delivering inclusive transport solutions, providing an evidence base to support more accessible EV infrastructure across London.

With the UK Government moving towards mandating PAS 1899 compliance for future chargepoints and potential requirements for installers to report accessibility data, the findings offer a scalable model for assessing and improving accessibility at the network level.

To discuss how Steer can support your EV accessibility or inclusive transport initiatives, get in touch.