This story was originally published by Mother Jones and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration.
Illinois Republican state Senator Dan McConchie’s frustration at the inaccessibility of electric vehicle charging ports for wheelchair users like himself highlights a widespread issue. Despite the Americans With Disabilities Act being in place for decades, many charging stations remain inaccessible. The Department of Energy reported a significant increase in public EV charging ports, but the lack of accessibility for disabled drivers remains a challenge.
Adam Lubinsky, along with others, advocates for making EV charging locations more accessible to drive widespread adoption of electric vehicles. While efforts are being made to develop enforceable accessibility rules for charging stations, progress has been slow. Concerns also arise regarding the usability of the charging devices themselves, especially for individuals with mobility issues.
Meeting existing accessibility requirements such as those outlined by the ADA is crucial in ensuring that EV chargers are inclusive. Strategies like building municipal chargers on sidewalks near pedestrian ramps, and addressing the obstacles posed by long cords, could improve accessibility for disabled drivers. While there are challenges in making EVs themselves fully accessible, efforts to ensure accessible charging infrastructure should not be delayed.
Retrofitting for accessibility is costlier than implementing inclusive design from the start, emphasizing the importance of considering accessibility from the outset.
