Leading charity Motability Operations has partnered with design firm Callum to launch a new competition aimed at developing an affordable 'future-proof' Electric Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (eWAV).
Launched in 1977, Motability offers affordable vehicle leases to disabled people. But the charity says that the switch to electric power presents a number of problems relating to both affordability and accessibility. The new competition for students at Coventry University and Glasgow School of Art is designed to find solutions to those.
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Motability says that EVs can be harder for disabled motorists to access, due to the raised floor with the batteries mounted underneath. The charity currently supplies around 7000 WAVs to customers, and the bulk of those are smaller machines that are less expansive to buy and take up less space. But Motability says there is a challenge finding suitable eWAVs, becuase they offer less usable space, height and payloads, while still commanding a price premium.
The competition invites students to submit a design for a prototype eWAV that solves those problems. The winning team will secure a paid placement at Callum, the design house established by former Jaguar designer Ian Callum, to develop a working prototype for testing.
Motability says it will seek support from the manufacturers and vehicle convertors it works with to "pave the way" for the concept with engineering insight to improve its feasibility. The hope is that machine could inspire further innovations.
Motability Operations boss Andrew Miller said: “As Britain’s motorists begin to make the switch to electric vehicles, Motability Operations is working hard to ensure our customers aren’t left behind. There are many accessibility challenges we need to overcome as we transition our customers to electric, and this collaboration with Callum marks the latest of our innovation efforts to find a solution.
Callum added: “Industrial design principles state that form follows function and at present electric vehicles are not delivering the required functionality for people with disabilities. It’s an issue that requires industry collaboration to overcome."
Callum and Motability said that more than 60 students have already submitted designed for the contest, with the winner set to be decided in January 2022.
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