ON-STREET ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING FOR DISABLED DRIVERS DOUBLES IN LAST 12 MONTHS, BUT 75% OF COUNCILS STILL HAVE NO ACCESSIBLE CHARGERS

• The number of councils providing accessible on-street charging has doubled in the last year
• The number of on-street EV chargers in disabled parking bays has more than doubled since 2024 from 105 to 245, but 75% of councils still have no accessible chargers
• An estimated 15% of on-street chargers are now specifically adapted for disabled drivers
• 14% of on-street chargers conform to the British Standards Institution’s PAS 1899:2022 accessible charging standard, up from last year
• Drivers can register their street for on-street EV charging and request accessible charging through Vauxhall’s Electric Streets of Britain campaign at: electricstreets.co.uk  

The number of councils providing accessible on-street electric vehicle (EV) charging for disabled drivers has doubled in the last 12 months, according to new Freedom of Information (FOI) research by Vauxhall*. However, three-quarters of councils still do not provide any chargers that are specifically adapted for disabled drivers or conform to recognised accessibility standards.

In the exclusive new research, 49 of the 194 councils that responded to Vauxhall said they now have on-street charge points that have either been specifically adapted for disabled drivers or conform to the British Standards Institution's PAS 1899:2022 accessible charging standard. This compares with 24 councils in 2025.

The new findings follow Freedom of Information (FOI) research conducted by Vauxhall in 2024 and 2025 into the accessibility of on-street charging for disabled drivers across the UK.

Compared with previous years, the latest research suggests progress is being made. The number of on-street EV chargers located within disabled parking bays has more than doubled since 2024, rising from 105 to 245. An estimated 15% of on-street chargers are now specifically adapted for disabled drivers, while 14% conform to PAS 1899:2022 accessibility guidance.

However, the findings show there is more work to do to ensure public charging is accessible for all drivers. While more than half of councils that responded to Vauxhall’s FOI said their charging strategies include considerations for disabled and elderly residents, accessible charging provision remains uneven across the UK. Vauxhall found just 43 accessible on-street chargers in the Northwest and 14 in Scotland, compared with 2,131 in London.

Eurig Druce, Managing Director, Vauxhall & Group Managing Director, Stellantis UK, said: “It’s encouraging to see more councils recognising the importance of accessible on-street charging, with provision nearly doubling in the last year. But the fact that three-quarters of councils still do not provide chargers specifically adapted for disabled drivers, or chargers that meet recognised accessibility standards, shows how much further there is to go.

“As more people switch to electric vehicles, accessibility must be built into public charging from the start, not treated as an afterthought. Through Electric Streets of Britain, Vauxhall is helping drivers register where on-street charging is needed, including where disabled drivers require accessible solutions. If the UK is to bring everyone on the electrification journey, accessible charging needs to become the standard, so going electric is a practical and viable option for all drivers.”

The research forms part of Vauxhall's ongoing Electric Streets of Britain campaign, which aims to support the millions of UK households without access to off-street parking. As more drivers switch to electric vehicles, accessible public charging will play an important role in ensuring disabled motorists can make the transition with confidence.

Earlier this year, Vauxhall welcomed Kerbo Charge as an Electric Street partner to raise awareness of cross-pavement charging solutions. While 7% of councils still allow unsafe cable covers, cross-pavement charging creates a channel for the cable to fit in, keeping the pavement clear of obstacles for pedestrians and wheelchair users. By the end of 2026, 42% of councils will have cross-pavement charging available, allowing more drivers access to affordable EV charging**.

Motorists can register their need for on-street residential EV charging at electricstreets.co.uk, with more than 12,500 streets already nominated, of which over 500 respondents have told Vauxhall they require disabled access off-street parking. Vauxhall continues to share this data with councils to help inform future charging strategies.

Vauxhall is a founding member of the Motability Scheme and has worked closely with the Motability Foundation and Motability Operations, the organisation that delivers the Motability Scheme, since it was founded in 1977. The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to lease a vehicle connecting them to life-changing independence and freedom, including the Vauxhall Corsa Electric, Mokka Electric, Astra Electric, Combo Life Electric, and Vivaro Life Electric, offering space for up to nine people. In 2024, Vauxhall was the best-selling vehicle manufacturer with the Motability Scheme.

ENDS

*Vauxhall’s Freedom of Information research took place between March – May 2026, issued to 413 councils across the United Kingdom.

**Vauxhall, Freedom of Information research between November 2025 and January 2026, issued to tier one councils across England, Scotland and Wales

ABOUT VAUXHALL MOTORS

Vauxhall Motors started making cars in the UK in 1903. Today, as the oldest and most familiar of Britain’s automotive manufacturers, its philosophy is to build vehicles that are relevant to all and offer design, high levels of equipment and technology, and electrification at an attainable level. Vauxhall is one of few automotive brands to produce electric vehicles in Britain at its manufacturing plant in Ellesmere Port – the UK’s first electric-only manufacturing plant where the Combo Electric van is made.  Vauxhall’s Electric Streets of Britain campaign raises the profile of the need for more on-street electric vehicle charging so that everyone can benefit from the switch to electric.  Find out more at www.electricstreets.co.uk 

Vauxhall is proud to be the official automotive partner of Team GB. The partnership sees Britain's most loved sports team and one of Britain’s most recognisable automotive brands joining forces, with Vauxhall supporting athletes as they prepare for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Vauxhall is part of Stellantis NV, a global leader created for the new era of sustainable mobility as a result of the merger between Groupe PSA and FCA Group in January 2021. Vauxhall is a leader in electrification – as of 2021, it was one of the first manufacturers to offer fully electric versions of all its vans. Since the end of 2024, Vauxhall has offered a fully electric version of every model in its car and van line-up. Info: www.vauxhall.co.uk