Motability Operations have partnered with CALLUM to reveal a brand new concept for electric vehicles, allowing electric wheelchair users better access to EVs.
Designed with the aid of wheelchair users, the concept, a next-generation electric wheelchair accessible vehicle (eWAV) solution nicknamed eVITA, hopes to eliminate the need for larger options when choosing to upgrade to modern vehicles by introducing methods for conversion to a more Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV).
Andrew Miller, Chief Executive of Motability Operations., said:The transition to electric simply won’t work unless it’s accessible for all.
We have the largest fleet in the UK and three quarters of a million disabled customers who rely on their vehicles for their independence. Our customers aren’t the typical early EV adopters, they’re more representative of the wider population, and we know from first-hand insight what the challenges of having an EV will be for everyone. Without solutions and an equitable switch to electric, thousands of people could be left behind.
This is most pressing for our customers who use wheelchair accessible vehicles as they don’t have an obvious or affordable solution to transition to a smaller EV. We were determined to find a way forward and I’m absolutely delighted that we have developed the eVITA concept with CALLUM, which genuinely has accessibility and inclusivity at the heart of its design, demonstrating what is possible. We’re sharing our knowledge and understanding with the industry – manufacturers, designers and engineers – to support an EV transition that works for everyone.
With the introduction of the concept, Motability Operations is also aiming to work with key figures in the automotive industry to ensure that inclusive design choices are consciously implemented throughout the development process of electric vehicles going forward.
A full rundown of specifications on the vehicle can be found at Mobility Operations’ website, here.
