My electric vehicle dream turned into a nightmare – I’ve got no option but to go back to petrol…

A DISABLED driver has hit out after they were forced to ditch their electric motor for a petrol car.

Shae Morgon, 33, opted to use an electric car^[1] because it would be better for the environment^[2].

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But the Edinburgh^[3] local has been left no choice but to go back to a fuel-burning vehicle because of their medical^[4] need for a new motor, and the massive cost of a wheelchair-friendly EV.

Shae's mobility is impacted by connective tissue disorder, but as the condition worsened they needed a larger wheelchair.

But the new mobility aid is too big for their current vehicle, meaning they need a larger wheelchair-accessible car.

Shae sought out a Citroen^[5] Berlingo from Motability UK, a firm which lets people use disability^[6] benefits^[7] to lease a vehicle.

And Shae says the extra £6k has robbed them of their choice for an eco-friendly car.

They told BBC News^[8]: "I've had no option but to revert to petrol.

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"We can't be green in our travel choices and have a vehicle that suits our needs.

"It's a massive frustration not being able to practice what I preach."

They said Scotland's EV infrastructure is inaccessible for disabled drivers^[9], with many charging stations out of reach of people in wheelchairs.

Shae added: "Most of the chargers are up a kerb, making them inaccessible for a wheelchair. I can't reach them to push any buttons or scan our card to start or stop the charging."

Concerns about how accessible charging points are have been raised by campaigners.

Graham Footer, chief executive of Disabled Motoring UK told the broadcaster: "This situation contradicts government promises of inclusive green energy^[10] transitions.

"Despite willingness to adopt EVs for environmental reasons, many feel left behind by an industry^[11] that hasn't prioritised inclusive design."

References

1. ^{^} electric car (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
2. ^{^} environment (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
3. ^{^} Edinburgh (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
4. ^{^} medical (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
5. ^{^} Citroen (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
6. ^{^} disability (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
7. ^{^} benefits (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
8. ^{^} told BBC News (www.bbc.co.uk)
9. ^{^} drivers (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
10. ^{^} energy (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)
11. ^{^} industry (www.thescottishsun.co.uk)