Motability Operations has revealed a UK-built electric wheelchair accessible vehicle (eWAV) demonstrator, aimed at encouraging manufacturers to prioritise accessibility in their EV design strategies.
Developed in partnership with design house CALLUM, the eVITA concept car responds to mounting concerns that wheelchair users risk being excluded from the transition to electric vehicles.
The design has been shaped by direct input from disabled people and aims to solve issues such as poor access due to battery placement, rising vehicle costs and a lack of inclusive features.
In 2024 Motability announced that providing affordable access to electric vehicles for its disabled clientele would be at the heart of the organisation.
Motability Operations currently supports around 35,000 WAV users through its leasing scheme.
With internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles being phased out, many existing WAVs face obsolescence.
Analysis suggests that across Europe, the annual market for new WAVs could hit 40,000, with potential to grow by a further 20,000 when including global markets such as Japan and Canada.
To address the shortfall, Motability Operations is offering manufacturers free access to eVITA’s design principles to encourage production of accessible EVs.
It has already partnered with Kia to develop a WAV version of its upcoming PV5 electric van.
Andrew Miller, chief executive of Motability Operations, said: “Up to 1.2 million wheelchair users in the UK could be left behind if vehicle design doesn’t catch up.
“The eVITA shows what’s possible when accessibility is considered from day one.”
Key design changes in eVITA include a reworked battery layout that enables a lower rear ramp, raised side windows to reduce motion sickness, a panoramic roof and a layout that allows the wheelchair passenger to sit close to the driver.
Motability Operations is also working with UK-based vehicle converters who are investing in EV adaptation, despite the extra costs and technical constraints that come with modifying electric platforms.
In 2022 it began trials to identify the challenges and solutions to electric car use for disabled drivers. At that time there was a handful of electric cars already available in the Motability Scheme, including the Vauxhall Corsa-e, Hyundai Kona Electric and the Fiat 500 Electric.