The Route to Accessible EVs #21
2
2
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
Poor
This site is located within a small car park. We intended to charge at the TotalEnergies station at Aire de la Dentelle d’Alençon, but all rapid chargers were occupied with over 40 minutes of remaining session times displayed on their screens. To avoid a delay, we changed route to this alternative location. A large commercial lorry was parked across the charging area, blocking all but one corner unit. The first cable on that unit failed to start. We then parked on the grass behind the chargers to get connected. The charger stopped at 86% so we unplugged and attempted to start a new session to reach 100% but the system declined. We noticed the lorry driver also attempted to reconnect his vehicle multiple times due to a similar issue.
Disabled Access In and Around
There are 2 bays marked for disabled users. They are signed but not painted on the ground. There are no directional signs routing drivers to the hub from the main road. The layout has several obstacles including bollards, kerbs and a raised grid section near the charge point. There is a minimum clearance path of 1200 mm from the charge unit to the vehicle socket point. The bottom of the connector socket sits between 800 mm and 950 mm and the terminal screen is positioned between 800 mm and 1000 mm from the ground.
Parking & Transport
I travelled to this place by personal vehicle
There are 8 bays in total at this location and 2 were occupied upon arrival. The chargers are run by Plug Inn and deliver rapid 320 kW speeds. The session went from 34% battery capacity up to the 86% cutoff point over 40 minutes, costing £23.55. We paid by card but the unit also accepts charge card or RFID payment. To start the charge, you tap your card on the terminal. The user interface provides multiple languages. The charger has its own attached cable and connector with built-in cable management. The connector handle weighs 4.3 kg.
Accessible facilities: Electric Vehicle Charging
Accessible Toilets
There are no public facilities right next to the chargers and only the main building facilities are nearby. There is a restaurant across a busy road with no pedestrian crossing available.
Additional Information
The station features a built-in touchscreen help point available in various languages. Overhead lighting is present for night use. No structural weather shelter or canopy is provided over the charging station.
