NRMA calls for National Standard for EV charging accessibility

A new report from the NRMA has called on Australian Governments to set a new standard for EV Charger site accessibility as more Australians make the switch to electric vehicles.

A woman using a wheelchair connects her electric car to a charging station at night

The report released today highlights that while EV infrastructure has charged ahead, a new standard is needed to ensure charging sites are accessible for all Australians – especially the 21 per cent of Australians living with disability.

The commonsense design proposed by the NRMA, developed in consultation with Get Skilled Access, an Australian consultancy specialising in disability inclusion and accessibility, ensures all chargers are installed at ground level on firm and level surfaces with gentle gradients to support ease of mobility. The design utilises strategically placed bollards to safeguard equipment and ensures unobstructed movement around chargers.

Importantly, the report also recommends that Australian governments establish a nationally consistent standard for accessible EV charging bays, prioritise accessible designs in funding programs, integrate accessibility requirements into national EV strategies, and conduct an audit of existing bays for potential upgrades where feasible.

The proposed standard has most recently been implemented by the NRMA at Liverpool Catholic Club in Prestons, NSW. Wherever feasible, the NRMA will continue to build new, off-street EV charging sites to the proposed standard.

NRMA Chief of Staff, Kerry Brophy, said the recommended standard was grounded in universal design and was needed to ensure equitable access to charging infrastructure across Australia.

“The lack of a dedicated, nationally consistent accessibility code creates confusion, limits implementation, and risks excluding people with disability from participation in the EV transition,” Ms Brophy said.

“By incorporating these design features from the outset, we can avoid costly retrofits, support independent access, and contribute to a consistent national standard.”

The NRMA has led the rollout of EV charging infrastructure across Australia with more than 124 stations installed to date. The NRMA has partnered with the Federal Government to build Australia’s national charging backbone and is expected to deliver over 250 fast charging sites by 2027.

Read the report: Accessible EV charging infrastructure

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