Zero Emissions Vehicles Ireland

A Caucasian man and access consultant, Nick Holland, wearing a hi-vis jacket and holding a tablet smiles and poses for a photograph on a sidewalk in Wexford, Ireland. He is stood next to an Electric Vehicle charging point.

Zero Emissions Vehicles Ireland have been reviewing and updating the Universal Design standards for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure within the Republic.

By commissioning Direct Access Consultancy in October 2024, ZEVI’s initiative aimed to conduct comprehensive user testing of EV charging stations at fifteen strategically selected sites across the Republic of Ireland.

The primary objectives of the program were to gather valuable feedback from a diverse range of users with different disabilities on the effectiveness of each station and the views of disabled people who were considering purchasing an EV. 

The program was designed to include several key components:

• Site visits by a certified Access Consultant: These visits were crucial for assessing the physical accessibility of each charging station and identifying any potential barriers that could hinder use by individuals with disabilities.

• Engaging disabled people: By pre-booking opportunities for individuals with disabilities to discuss their experiences and challenges at each charging station, the program ensured that their voices were heard.

• Engaging users at each charging station: Direct interactions with users while they utilised the charging facilities provided real-time insights into the practical aspects of accessibility and usability.

Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) is a government initiative aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector by promoting the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).

With over 125,000 electric vehicles registered in Ireland, ZEVI is working towards achieving the goal of 195,000 EVs on the road by the end of 2025. The organization is investing €100 million in EV infrastructure and providing various incentives to support the transition to electric vehicles.

The insights and findings from this extensive user testing was intended to inform a review and update of the Universal Design Guidelines for Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure, which were initially released in May 2024.

A close up shallow focus photograph of an Electric Vehicle pump plugged into an open fuel cap.

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