Charging stations are increasingly common on the streets, but unfortunately they are not always equally accessible to people with limited mobility. After all, people with wheelchairs and other aids will soon also be driving around in electric cars. In this blog article, we discuss some tips to make charging stations more inclusive so that everyone can use them.
Why is it important to make charging stations accessible?
In an inclusive society, mobility should not be an obstacle. Everyone, regardless of physical disability, should have the opportunity to drive electric. For wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility, there are often additional challenges when using charging stations. The height of the charging station, the space to manoeuvre a wheelchair, and the accessibility of the charging cables can all pose obstacles. At worst, this makes electric driving impossible for them. This is not only unfair, but also violates laws around inclusion and accessibility. By making charging stations accessible to all, we contribute to a society where everyone can participate equally in the eMobility transition.
Watching the video, one quickly notices that there are many problems for wheelchair users when they want to charge their car. These are problems that can be easily avoided if we think carefully about the placement of the charging station beforehand!
We provide some tips for companies or individuals planning to make their charging station publicly accessible to employees or externals. These small points of interest can make a big difference for a more inclusive and accessible charging experience.
6 tips to make charging stations more accessible
Follow these tips to make your charging stations even more accessible
1. Provide enough space
People with wheelchairs or rollators need extra space to reach the charging station. So make sure there is at least 1 metre between two charging stations. This way, everyone can easily get out of their electric car and get to the charging station. Ideally, wheelchairs and other aids should be able to drive all the way around the charging station without any obstacles.
2. Positioned at the right height
A wall-mounted charging station should be accessible to everyone, including people who are smaller or in wheelchairs. If the charging station hangs too high, it is difficult for a large group of people to reach the charging cable in the charging station or to scan the charging card. We recommend installing the charging station about 1 metre from the ground.
3. Making higher level accessible
If you place the charging station at a higher level than the parking space, it will be more difficult to reach. So make sure the charging post is at the same ground level. If that is not possible, make sure the higher level is easily accessible with a ramp, for example.
Bron: Leicon.nl
4. Clear signage and lighting
Proper signage is crucial to make charging stations accessible to everyone, regardless of their mobility.
Good lighting is not only important for safety, but it also makes the charging station more accessible for people with disabilities. Provide sufficient general lighting around the charging station so that it is clearly visible to all users. Good lighting also provides an extra sense of security, making it more likely that people will use your public charging stations in the evening and at night.
5. Do not leave charging cable untidy
Make sure the charging cable can be stored in an easy way by, for example, a charging bracket. If the charging cable lies untidily on the ground, it is more difficult to use for people with limited mobility.
6. Disabled parking spaces
Ensure that people with a disabled parking card also have access to a charging station. Provide some parking spaces for wheelchair users with a charging station. Of course, then also make sure that this charging station is easy to reach by following the previous tips. This is not only fairer, but it also encourages people to switch to an electric car.
By following these tips, we can make charging infrastructure more accessible to all. This way, we will contribute to a sustainable and inclusive future.
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