Unlocking Accessibility - Repairability

There are no EV chargepoints available that enable independent charging for all drivers. Working with the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RIDC), we found 'non-tethered cable' chargepoints are a significant barrier to drivers who cannot manage and insert a separate charge cable. The weight/inflexibility of cables on 'tethered' chargepoints also create barriers for a significant proportion of car owners, confirmed by recent BSi & Cenex guidelines.

This project overcomes these barriers by delivering an award-winning and industry endorsed 22kW Public EV-Charger that improves the charging experience for all motorists through human-centred features, including a mechanically-assisted cable & plug-mounted controls.

Led by a Design Consultancy specialising in EV infrastructure and accessibility, partnered with a Sustainability Consultant with extensive target-market experience. The wider team comprises experts and end-users to provide a user-centric perspective from production, through installation and maintenance, to end-of-life. Furthermore a holistic approach will be taken to sustainability, considering both the hardware and our company, to reduce CO2 impact and achieve our goal of delivering novel hardware that truly aligns with Net Zero.

The project will address the following DfR areas; \*Modularity & Accessibility to improve the repair process through user-centric design. \*Design for Durability to extend lifecycle through components & material selection and testing.

\*Eco-Design and circularity through consideration of CO2 impacts, sustainability, supply chain and recyclability within the design.

This project has the opportunity to incorporate meaningful design improvements at a critical point in the development, exploiting the projected boom in EV chargepoint installations and establishing a UK company at the forefront of inclusive and sustainable technology.