EV charging should be safe, reliable and accessible, says Osprey Charging boss

Britain’s electric vehicle charging network must be “safe, reliable and accessible to all”, according to the boss of one of the leading charging networks.

Responding to reports this week from consumer advisor Which? and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Ian Johnston, CEO of Osprey Charging (pictured) said: “That means well-lit sites, chargers that you can rely on and the ability for wheelchairs and anyone with reduced mobility to have the space and access to charge, pay and enjoy our facilities.”

Last month the AA began campaigning for increased safety and accessibility for all EV charging bays and a star rating programme was also launched by ChargeSafe. More recently Motability has partnered with the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) to develop new BSI accessible charging standards (PAS 1899) for charging bays, which are scheduled to be published for consultation in March.

Osprey is on the review board for PAS 1899, and Johnston said this was being built into all new Osprey sites in development. “We’re working with landlords and Motability to achieve this. But we’re also going back to existing sites, upgrading hardware and increasing space and access wherever possible.”