Key Points
- Believ, an electric vehicle (EV) charge point operator (CPO), has welcomed the review of BSI PAS 1899, describing the updated recommendations as an important milestone in improving access to EV charging for all drivers, including those with diverse accessibility needs.
- The review, conducted three years after the original PAS 1899 publication in 2022, involved consumer and disability groups, local authorities, and CPOs including Believ, to assess implementation effectiveness and identify improvements.
- Key findings include the need to better reflect differences in charge point installations across built environments and provide clearer advice for scenarios like on-street charging constraints.
- Challenges recognised encompass technical limitations such as heavy charging cable weights, requiring further innovation.
- Believ participated in the technical review group and accessible charge point data standard working group.
- Believ has collaborated with Waltham Forest, Newham, and Redbridge boroughs using LEVI funding to trial accessible on-street EV charging bay designs, engaging customers and advocacy groups.
- Guy Bartlett, chief executive at Believ, stated commitment to shaping accessible EV charging as a social responsibility and continuing industry collaboration.
- The review emphasises future engagement with European standards bodies CEN and CENELEC for consistent pan-European guidance.
- PAS 1899:2022, sponsored by Motability and OZEV, provides guidelines on physical environment, placement, information, and design for accessible EV charge points.
- Broader industry challenges include low compliance rates, with only 3 UK sites fully compliant, and accessibility issues affecting 47% of drivers.
- Government plans to mandate accessible charging via updated PAS 1899.
Believ has welcomed the British Standards Institution (BSI) review of PAS 1899, the key guidance on accessible electric vehicle charging, hailing the updated recommendations as a vital step forward for inclusivity in the UK’s EV infrastructure rollout. This development comes three years after the standard’s initial 2022 publication, amid growing calls for better accessibility amid the nation’s push towards net-zero transport goals. Industry stakeholders, including charge point operators and disability advocates, contributed to the review, highlighting persistent barriers like heavy cables and spatial constraints.
What is PAS 1899 and why was it reviewed?
PAS 1899:2022, titled “Electric Vehicles – Accessible Charging – Specification,” offers guidelines to make public EV charge points accessible for users with diverse needs, covering physical environments, placement, information provision, and design. Sponsored by Motability Foundation and the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), facilitated by BSI, it aims to foster innovation and build confidence in EV infrastructure. As reported in BSI’s documentation, PAS 1899 supports minimum requirements for all public charge points, with best practice for those near accessible parking bays.
Three years post-publication, a comprehensive review assessed real-world implementation, involving consumer groups, disability organisations, local authorities, and CPOs like Believ. According to the BSI Knowledge Hub summary report, the standard marked a “positive step” towards accessibility but challenges persist for disabled drivers, necessitating clearer requirements and consistency. Stakeholders reported difficulties interpreting PAS 1899, underscoring the need for updates to keep accessibility central to UK EV infrastructure.
What key improvements does the PAS 1899 review propose?
The review identified needs to differentiate charge point installations in varied built environments and offer scenario-specific advice, such as for on-street charging’s logistical and spatial limits. As detailed by Believ in their press release, one key finding was recognising these environmental differences alongside clearer implementation guidance. It also addresses challenges for local authorities, businesses, private landlords, and CPOs, including technical limits like charging cable weights requiring innovation.
In the BSI review summary, the Technical Working Group recommended refining the standard to tackle practical issues, paving the way for an inclusive charging ecosystem. Energy Park’s analysis notes features like dropped curbs, tactile paving, and manoeuvring space for wheelchair-accessible vehicles as essential. The review proposes a plan to update PAS 1899, ensuring it evolves with industry needs.
How has Believ contributed to the review and accessibility efforts?
Believ participated actively in the technical review group and accessible charge point data standard working group, assessing existing requirements. As stated in a GPSJ article by The GPSJ Team, Believ contributed to evaluating how well PAS 1899 works in practice and recommending future enhancements. Believ’s press release echoes this involvement, emphasising their role in identifying on-street charging improvements.
Beyond the review, Believ collaborates with east London boroughs—Waltham Forest, Newham, and Redbridge—using Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) funding to trial accessible on-street bay designs. This includes customer and advocacy group engagement to address real-world barriers. As per Believ’s site, these efforts earned industry award nominations for inclusive infrastructure.
What does Believ’s leadership say about accessible EV charging?
Guy Bartlett, chief executive at Believ, said:
“At Believ, we see it as our responsibility to help shape the future of accessible EV charging, and we’re committed to continuing to work with industry to recognise what is possible now, while also highlighting challenges that need to be addressed. Making charging inclusive for every driver is not just a technical challenge, it’s a social responsibility that we take seriously”.
Bartlett added:
“We recognise that there is still more work to do in the industry to further accessibility of EV infrastructure, and Believ is committed to working with our supply chain and actively participate and contribute to developing PAS 1899 and ensuring that no driver is left behind in the EV transition”.
These statements, reported identically in GPSJ by The GPSJ Team and Believ’s press release, underscore Believ’s proactive stance.
What broader industry and government actions support PAS 1899?
Osprey Charging Network adopted PAS 1899 early, implementing in-bay chargers without kerbs, extra space, weight-managed cables, and upgrades to over 25 older sites. Motability Foundation research highlights barriers like cable weight, attachment force, missing dropped kerbs, and poor parking, driving PAS 1899’s creation. They endorse compliant assessment schemes and back government plans for an updated, potentially mandatory standard.
The Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) reports government introducing powers to mandate accessible charging, noting only 3 fully compliant UK sites and 47% of drivers facing issues, with 51% of disabled drivers struggling with fast-charger cables. EVA’s Steve Pettitt stated:
“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”.
What are the European and future implications?
The PAS 1899 review highlights future engagement with CEN and CENELEC for pan-European consistency, viewed by Believ as progress towards global standards. CIHT notes PAS 1899 focuses on physical aspects like height, spacing, and digital info, with ongoing work to improve the network. BSI’s original consultation sought minimum requirements for EV public charging accessibility
