14 November 2025
The Government introduced an amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill yesterday, giving it powers to mandate key accessibility measures at public electric vehicle (EV) charging points, to ensure they are user-friendly and safe to use, including by drivers with disabilities. It comes as the Government simultaneously releases its report recommending revisions to the existing UK standard to make it easier to deliver accessible charging that meets drivers’ needs.
The amendment – originally tabled by Conservative Peer Lord Borwick and now expanded upon by Government – gives Ministers the power to mandate accessibility standards across all new public electric vehicle (EV) charging points, should voluntary progress by the industry remain too slow.
Speaking in the Chamber, the Minister, Matthew Pennycock MP, stated that while the Government has been “working closely with the sector to update the current accessibility standards”, he has “been convinced that we should use the Bill to provide further certainty”. Speaking on behalf of the Opposition, Conservative MP David Simmonds thanked the Government for its “willingness to embrace the debate about electric vehicle charging”.
It comes as the ‘ping pong’ stage of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill begins in the House of Commons – where both Houses of Parliament agree on final amendments to the Bill, one of the final steps before it becomes law.
PAS 1899 was first published in 2022 as a voluntary standard, but it is estimated that only 3 charging sites in the whole of the UK currently fully comply with the standard. Our latest survey revealed 47% of all drivers, with and without disabilities, reported accessibility issues using the current infrastructure. We also found that over half (51%) of drivers with disabilities find heavy charging cables at faster charging points hard or extremely hard to use. In a separate poll, a full quarter of Motability Scheme customers – providing specially adapted vehicles to drivers with disabilities – said they would not use the current public charging infrastructure over accessibility concerns.
The recommendations, released today, follow a year-long review and consultation by Government with industry stakeholders and consumer and disability groups to identify improvements that would make delivery of the standard easier and more consistent.
The amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill fits neatly with that review, granting Government powers to:
Commenting on the announcement, Vicky Edmonds, CEO of EVA England, said:
“This is huge progress for all drivers, especially those with disabilities. For the first time, we have the Government’s assurance that accessibility won’t be left to chance. These enabling powers will also incentivise greater action by industry to roll out accessible charging.
“I would like to thank Lord Borwick and Sir Jeremy Wright for championing this cause and ensuring its inclusion in the Bill, and to thank the Government for expanding upon Lord Borwick’s amendment to provide essential future safeguards for the safety, reliability and user-friendliness of public EV charging.
“EVA England has long supported this ambition, and we’re proud to see such decisive action taken to ensure the public charging network works for everyone.”
Lord Borwick, who originally tabled the amendment, said:
“People have congratulated me on this change in the law, but that is not right. It’s a change in charging systems to make them accessible, not a change in the law, that deserves congratulation.
“This amendment means we can finally ensure that as we move to electric driving, accessibility will not be an afterthought but a core design requirement of the public network.”
Lisa Jones, Chief Operating Officer of the Motability Foundation, said:
“It has been the Motability Foundation’s position for some time that the PAS 1899 standard should made mandatory by law, so we’re very pleased to see this amendment has been passed. We estimate that 1.35 million disabled drivers in the UK will need to use public EV chargers by 2035, so it’s absolutely vital that chargepoints are being made accessible.
“We are now working with Government on plans for an updated version of PAS 1899. We want to provide a standard that is achievable and can be used by all chargepoint operators to meet the accessibility needs of disabled people. We will continue to engage with all providers of public charging as part of this process. This will also ensure the standard is in a position to be mandated by law if that step is required.”
EVA England will continue to campaign for safe, reliable and accessible charging across the UK, so that no driver is left behind in the transition to electric.
If you would like to support our work and help strengthen our advocacy for accessible charging, you can get involved by becoming a member, a supporting partner or donating directly to EVA England.
Every member and contribution helps us make sure EV drivers’ voices are heard in Parliament and that the UK’s charging infrastructure works for everyone.