Enable Accessibility of Electric Vehicles & Automated Vehicles
Current ADA standards do not fully address EV technologies, risking expensive retrofits or lack of access for people with disabilities. For example, locating the battery in the floor of the vehicle makes it difficult to convert EVs for wheelchair users and the weight of EV charging cables makes them inaccessible to some. As a result, DOT has taken measures to ensure accessible EV and AV usage.
Inclusive Design Challenge
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Inclusive Design Challenge focused on innovative design solutions to enable people with physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities to use automated vehicles to access jobs, healthcare, and other critical destinations. Design teams from academic and research institutions, the business sector, technology companies and analytics firms competed for cash prizes. Solutions included both hardware and software solutions. Learn more about the Challenge.
Disability Policy Priorities to Enable Accessibility of Electric Vehicles & Automated Vehicles
As part of DOT’s Disability Policy Priorities, adopted in July 2022 during a celebration of the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Department has committed to the priority actions below to ensure electric and automated vehicles are accessible to people with disabilities.
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DOT Priority |
Goal |
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Accelerate development and adoption of accessibility standards for rollout of the national electric vehicle charging network in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law |
People with disabilities will benefit from – and not be cut out from – the nation’s shift toward clean transportation |
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Help manufacturers and designers identify and integrate accessibility considerations in AVs for the diverse needs of people with disabilities |
People with certain disabilities who are otherwise unable to obtain a driver's license will be able to travel independently and spontaneously |
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Incentivize development of accessible automated vehicles and promote inclusive design to the next generation of automotive engineers |