Charging network GRIDSERVE is aiming to make electric vehicle (EV) charging as easy and accessible as possible, with the inclusion of the Electric Forecourts® on the fuelService app.
fuelService was developed to help those with accessibility needs to be able to fuel or charge their car. In this case, once the driver has selected an Electric Forecourt, fuelService will contact GRIDSERVE and ask the available staff if they can help. Once assistance is confirmed, all the driver needs to do is arrive at the charger and let the app know they have arrived. To keep drivers up to date, the fuelService app will let drivers know how long assistance will be.
GRIDSERVE is committed to making charging easily accessible, not only at the Electric Forecourts, but across the GRIDSERVE Electric Highway too. The Electric Forecourt designs include disabled parking, access ramps, accessible washrooms, lifts to access all areas and braille throughout the interior of the building.
The company continues to engage ‘Access for All UK’ to audit Electric Forecourt sites and suggest improvements for existing sites and to inform future forecourt designs.
“Accessibility is key to ensuring that the transition to electric is inclusive for all. As we break new ground in EV charging, access is at the forefront of the design and construction of our flagship products; the award-winning Electric Forecourts and our advanced Electric Hubs,” said Toddington Harper, CEO of GRIDSERVE.
“We recognise the need to consider how we provide drivers with the right information to make an informed decision about charging on their journeys. We welcome any feedback from drivers on how we can make the charging experience as easy and accessible as possible.”
EV drivers can now use fuelService at GRIDSERVE Electric Forecourts.
The design of the latest Electric Hubs includes accessible, extra-wide bays with chevrons to ensure space on all sides of the vehicle. These extra wide bays are to be prioritised for those with access needs to ensure that charging is both available and as easy as possible for those drivers with additional requirements.
“The challenges for disabled drivers remain as we transition from petrol to electric cars,” said Niall El-Assaad, Founder of fuelService.
“It’s great news to see an organisation like GRIDSERVE making sure they are looking after disabled drivers.”
