The Route to Accessible EVs #3
3
3
Date of visit: May 2026
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment, accessing toilets, moving around and seeing.
I use or have experience of: disabled toilet, hidden impairment, mobility scooter, powerchair, toilets, walking aid, wheelchair
Overall Rating
Average
We found this charging hub located within a main motorway service station complex. It was easy to locate and sits close to the main service buildings. Clear signage from the motorway exit directs you straight to the EV stations. We used a Siemens device at this location.
Disabled Access In and Around
None of the charging spaces are designated or marked as accessible bays for disabled drivers, and the layout is entirely non-compliant with PAS 1899 requirements. Low-level obstacles like bollards and kerbs are present, but the bollards do not obstruct access to the charger units. Even with these obstacles, a minimum clearance path of 1200 mm is successfully maintained between the charge unit and the vehicle socket point. Components are positioned well within a 220 mm reach, making the station easy to view and operate. The handle connector bottom sits between 800 mm and 950 mm, the bottom of the payment terminal is positioned between 800 mm and 1000 mm from the ground, and the display screen remains fully readable from both standing and seated positions. There are 2 standard disabled bays located elsewhere in the broader service station car park.
Parking & Transport
I travelled to this place by personal vehicle
There are 20 bays in total at this location, featuring a mixture of Siemens and Engie units, and 4 of them were occupied by other vehicles when we arrived. The charger we used was a Siemens unit providing ultra-rapid charging up to 300 kW. Our charging session started at 55% battery capacity and reached 98% in just over 50 minutes. We paid directly by card, though the unit also supports app and charge card/RFID options. The interface is user-friendly with accurate prompts, offering multiple language choices including English, French and German. The cable management system successfully keeps the leads suspended to prevent trip hazards, and the cable connector handle weighs 1.80 kg.
Accessible facilities: Electric Vehicle Charging
Accessible Toilets
There are no public facilities right next to the chargers, but the main public toilets and building amenities are located less than 50 metres away inside the service complex.
Additional Information
The site is well-lit for nighttime use, and a customer support phone number is listed directly on the unit. There is no overhead canopy or structural shelter provided over the bays. It was raining during our visit, and we got wet. While being very user-friendly, it still fails to meet PAS 1899 standards due to the tight spacing and the lack of designated accessible bay markings on the ground.
