Motability Operations has started a series of pilots in its search for new, innovative ways to support Motability Scheme customers make the switch to electric.
Motability Operations provides affordable motoring to disabled people and their families in the UK through the Motability Scheme.
Along with the recent announcement of a new Government consultation investigating the accessibility of electric vehicle (EV) chargers, the series of pilots aims to remove the barriers to charging for those unable to charge at home.
Working with Founders Intelligence, Motability Operations’ innovation team has a range of pilots with British start-up businesses planned for this year and beyond.
Starting with Zap Map, Charge Fairy, Co Charger and Bonnet, the initial pilots are already live with Motability Scheme customers across the UK.
Jonathan Jenkins, head of innovation at Motability Operations, said: “As more of our Motability Scheme customers transition to EVs it’s vital that there is worry-free access to charging for everyone.
“These important initiatives will help the increasing number of customers who want to make the switch to an electric-powered vehicle but are unable to charge at home.
“I’m looking forward to partnering with more organisations and building on these initial pilots and the vital results they will deliver for our customers.”
Hundreds of Motability Scheme customers are trialing the Zap-Map app, which offers a UK-wide map of charging points and aims to help EV drivers locate and navigate to available charge points.
The customers engaging in the pilot live with a range of conditions and are located across the country.
In a three-month pilot with Co Charger, a selection of Motability Scheme customers is also engaging with Co Charger's community of privately-owned chargers.
Co Charger connects ‘hosts’ across the UK who have home chargers to other motorists, who do not have off-street parking, or the facilities at home to install a charger.
Furthermore, Motability Scheme customers have been trialling Bonnet’s charging app which connects 17 EV charging networks in Europe, so users access one app, with one account, and one payment to cover all charges.
Finally, in a pilot with Charge Fairy, a group of Motability Scheme customers have been using Charge Fairy’s mobile electric car charging service, which was created to remove some of the barriers to everyday electric vehicle charging.
The Charge Fairy technology monitors a customer’s charge level remotely, and when their charge drops below a certain point, a Charge Fairy van visits the customer’s car, wherever its parked and charges it.
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Gareth has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist having started his career in local newspapers in the 1990s. Prior to joining Fleet News in 2008, he worked in the public sector as a media advisor and is currently news editor at Fleet News.
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