Guidelines on accessibility of electric recharging infrastructure in the EU

Title page 1

Contents 4

1. Introduction 7

1.1. Target audience of these guidelines 7

1.2. General context and objectives of the report 7

1.3. Policy Context 13

1.4. Policy Framework on accessibility 15

1.5. Methodology 18

1.6. Scope of this report 18

2. Analysis of the survey respondents 20

3. State-of-the-art related to accessibility of recharging points 23

3.1. Challenges, bottlenecks, and limitations in regard to the deployment of accessible recharging infrastructure 23

3.2. Specific Challenges for the design of the recharging points (hardware and interface) 25

3.3. Specific challenges for parking place requirements and surrounding area 26

3.4. Challenges linked with the spatial distribution of accessible recharging points 27

3.5. Level of responsibility between public and private entities 29

4. Overview of existing guidelines in place across the EU and beyond 32

5. Existing practices, standards and lessons learnt to facilitate the accessibility of recharging infrastructure in the EU and beyond 35

5.1. Main aspects of accessible recharging point 35

5.2. Design of the recharging station (technical parameters, standards, payment options) 35

5.2.1. Component Heights 35

5.2.2. Plug Handle 36

5.2.3. Cable Weight and Rigidity 37

5.2.4. Cable Length and placement 38

5.2.5. Sockets and Connectors 39

5.2.6. Charging Station Visualisation 39

5.2.7. Other usability aspects 40

5.2.8. Payment Options 40

5.3. Parking place and surrounding area (technical and quality requirements) 42

5.3.1. Parking Space Dimensions 44

5.3.2. Ground Surface Type 46

5.3.3. Ground Surface Height Differences 46

5.3.4. Removing Obstacles 47

5.3.5. Access to Amenities 48

5.3.6. Weather Protection 48

5.3.7. Safety Considerations 49

5.3.8. Lighting 49

5.3.9. Recharging Station Placement 50

5.4. Information/data about recharging points and interface 51

5.4.1. Recharging Station Digital Interface 51

5.4.2. Mobile Applications 52

5.4.3. Recharging Session Feedback 52

5.4.4. Provision of data on recharging infrastructure 53

5.4.5. Wireless recharging, inductive recharging or wireless power transfer 55

5.5. Distribution of accessible recharging stations in urban areas and along TENT-T corridors (percentage, area based and location indicators) 56

5.6. The importance of standards 58

5.6.1. Assessment of EN 17210:2021 "Accessibility and usability of the built environment" 60

5.6.2. Assessment of EN 301549:2021 "Accessibility requirements for ICT) products and services in the European Union 62

5.6.3. Assessment of EN 17161:2019 "Design for All - Accessibility following a Design for All approach in products, goods and services" 64

6. Recommendations for minimal requirements 66

6.1. Hardware and parking space 68

6.2. Data requirements 71

6.3. Distribution of Accessible recharging infrastructure 72

6.4. Future Standards 73

6.5. Other recommendations 74

7. References 75

ANNEX - Overview of authors, coordinators and review team 76

Tables 13

Table 1. Key barriers relating to the accessibility of on-street recharging points for disabled users 13

Table 2. Level of responsibility to be assigned to each stakeholder on the different aspects of accessibility requirements 29

Table 3. Recommendations from different guidelines and standards on height requirements for several components of a recharging station 36

Table 4. ranking of the different payment solutions in terms of accessibility and inclusivity, according to survey respondents 41

Table 5. Recommendations from different guidelines and standards on the parking space dimensions of an accessible recharging station 44

Figures 10

Figure 1. Schematic representation of the distribution of the free and effective passage space 10

Figure 2. Analysis of respondents by type of organisation 20

Figure 3. European countries where survey respondents are active 21

Figure 4. Ranking of the major problems, bottlenecks and limitations when deploying accessible EV recharging infrastructure 24

Figure 5. Identification of different options for public authorities to facilitate the deployment of accessible and inclusive recharging infrastructure 30

Figure 6. Designability recommendations for space around a vehicle and an EV charger 44