Electric Cars on the Motability Scheme

Why choose an electric vehicle on the Motability Scheme?

EVs offer a whole host of benefits to Motability Scheme customers, let’s take a look at these:

• Home charger installed free of charge as part of your Motability lease - Did you know, Motability customers who place an order for a 100% electric vehicle can have a charge point installed at their home, completely free! This is all part of the Motability worry-free motoring package. There are no costs to supply and install the home charging point, but if there is work required to gain access to your electricity supply, then you will need to cover these costs. Once installed, you then need to pay for the electricity used to charge your car and that’s it, simple!
• Motability Go Charge card - Gain access to over 58,000 chargepoints with our free app. Check available chargepoints, set up payment details and control your charging sections remotely giving you complete convenience and control when charging out on the road.
• Comfort and Accessibility - Electric vehicles are all automatic meaning increased comfort. You can also benefit from a smooth driving and passenger experience which is especially beneficial for Motability customers with mobility issues.
• Storage Capacity - Most EVs have the battery under the floor which frees up valuable boot space giving you more room for mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walking frames, hobby equipment, prams or your shopping.
• Great technology and driver assistance features - With an electric vehicle on the Motability Scheme, you can enjoy features like parking sensors, lane-keeping assistance and often touchscreen controls to control the car from. These improve your driver experience and also offer an additional layer of accessibility to help you stay in control in the driver’s seat.
• Adaptable - EVs can be adapted to suit a variety of requirements in exactly the same way a petrol or diesel car can be!

There are lots of differences to consider when making the switch to a motability EV; the lack of noise from an EV, the additional driver data available and the vehicle range and charging capabilities.

Motability customers discuss regenerative braking and the use of just one foot in the driving experience as all electric cars are automatic. Regenerative braking is where the kinetic energy of the car is converted into electrical energy when the brake pedal is pressed to be stored in the battery - a great way to add range back into the car on the go!

Learn about how using different features of the car, such as the heated windscreen, wipers and air-con, affect the battery life.

Smooth driving conditions in an electric vehicle are a highlight of the London to Brighton EV Rally which may come as a surprise to some customers!

They also discuss the usage of EVs across long journeys and city driving and how electric vehicles are equally suited to these.

Nervous about the switch to a Motability electric vehicle? You aren’t alone! We understand that the move towards electric brings a lot of questions and we are here to help!

In this video, Motability customers discuss specific challenges around charging and the accessibility of charging infrastructure.

Motability have worked with OZEV to develop universal guidelines that charge point operators can use when designing charge points to ensure they are accessible.

New service, tools and products should be accessible to all and Motability are constantly working to bring electric vehicle accessibility to its customers.

What adaptations are compatible with an electric Motability car?

Many customers worry that the adaptations they require won’t be compatible with an EV or will affect the range or performance of their electric vehicle; this video helps to dispel these myths.

The push pull brake accelerator is used to operate brakes with hands rather than feet, this is perfectly compatible with an EV meaning customers using this control have the freedom to choose electric if it fits in with other areas of their life.

A boot hoist has also been fitted to the vehicle in the video which works perfectly. The main thing to remember with this adaptation is that the engine needs to be off which is easier to check with a petrol or diesel vehicle as the engine is nosier and therefore more obvious when on. With an EV, as the engine is so much quieter, please check the engine is definitely off before activating the hoist!

If you are unsure whether the specific adaptations you use on your Motability car are compatible with an EV, please speak to your local adaptations installer who will be able to advise you for definite.