Category: Automotive
Project: eVITA
Partners: Motability Operations and CALLUM
Conversations around EVs tend to revolve almost exclusively around cost, range and charging access, seen as three of the key barriers to adoption. While these issues are undoubtedly fundamental, there are a litany of other practical considerations tied up in the EV transition that are inevitably overlooked by the automotive sector.
A key concern that directly affects thousands across the UK and millions worldwide is accessibility, specifically wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs). In the UK alone, it’s estimated that more than 34,000 users of WAVs could be left behind in the transition to electric mobility.
eVITA, our C2I winner in the automotive category, set out to address this concern through an innovative combination of inclusive design and cutting-edge engineering. Led by Motobility Operations in collaboration with design partner CALLUM, eVITA delivered a radical electric wheelchair accessible vehicle (eWAV) concept built around the needs of wheelchair users.
“The transition to electric simply won’t work unless it’s accessible for all,” says Andrew Miller, chief executive of Motability Operations, a commercial entity that provided mobility solutions to over 800,000 disabled people across the UK.
“We have the largest fleet in the UK and three quarters of a million disabled customers who rely on their vehicles for their independence. Our customers aren’t the typical early EV adopters, they’re more representative of the wider population, and we know from first-hand insight what the challenges of having an EV will be for everyone. Without solutions and an equitable switch to electric, thousands of people could be left behind.”
Today’s typical EV architectures pose challenges for eWAV conversion and accessibility for wheelchair users. Floor-mounted batteries reduce internal height and limit storage. This leads to WAV customers having to opt for larger EVs than they would otherwise need, with knock-on effects on cost, range, manoeuvrability and parking. Research carried out by the project partners indicated 82 per cent of wheelchair users would prefer a small/medium eWAV over a medium/large eWAV.
“This is most pressing for our customers who use wheelchair accessible vehicles as they don’t have an obvious or affordable solution to transition to a smaller EV,” said Miller. “We were determined to find a way forward.”
Working in close collaboration with CALLUM, Motobility Operations designed eVITA so that the floor between the vehicle tailgate and front row is completely flat, allowing a wheelchair to smoothly travel from the rear ramp through the interior and be positioned nearer other occupants. With a ride height closer to that of a hatchback, the wheelchair user has an improved lower seating position with better visibility in the cabin.
The vehicle has two front and two rear doors, with the rear sliding doors featuring accessible release buttons. eVITA also has a split tailgate – the upper section acting as an extension to the roof to keep users dry when entering and exiting in wet weather – with an electronic door system for easy opening.
“Today, electric vehicles are not offering the functionality and flexibility required by WAV users,” said Ian Callum, design director at CALLUM.
“OEMs, their designers and engineers must plan ahead and embrace inclusive design principles to ensure that WAV users and disabled people are not forgotten in the transition to EVs. With eVITA, form and functionality have been developed in parallel, resulting in a well-considered, user-friendly EV that is both practical and stylish.”
eVITA’s wide, low angle ramp automatically extends from inside, with a winch aiding wheelchair users’ entry into the vehicle cabin. To alert other motorists while parked, eVITA uses LED puddle lights to visually project a wheelchair symbol onto the ground behind the vehicle, illustrating the essential space required for the ramp to deploy.
The space around the wheelchair area in the cabin features a modular ‘utility’ bar’ with access to access to infotainment, heating and air conditioning controls. Fully customisable, the utility bar also includes charging ports for personal devices, as well as easy-to-reach storage and cup holders.
A total of 32 people across the two businesses collaborated on the eVITA project. Both brought different expertise, combining Motability Operations’ extensive knowledge of the WAV market with CALLUM’s deep experience of the design and development process. The successful delivery of the concept vehicle has highlighted the importance of prioritising inclusive engineering and design from the outset of a project.
“I’m absolutely delighted that we have developed the eVITA concept with CALLUM, which genuinely has accessibility and inclusivity at the heart of its design, demonstrating what is possible,” said Miller.
“We’re sharing our knowledge and understanding with the industry – manufacturers, designers and engineers – to support an EV transition that works for everyone…collaboration is key to making the EV transition a success for wheelchair users.”
With Motability Operations based in London and CALLUM in Warwick, communication between the two partners was paramount. This took the form of online Programme Steering Team meetings, site visits at key project milestones and monthly visits to CALLUM by Motability Operations staff to share the story of the design and development of eVITA.
During the design phase, CALLUM team members undertook journeys in a wheelchair in the rear of a WAV, providing first-hand experience and highlighting considerations such as the impact of seating position and visibility and its contribution to motion sickness. Working with Motobility Operations has provided the CALLUM engineers with a greater understanding of disability and the societal challenges disabled people face, both within the scope of this project and beyond.
“The CALLUM team is incredibly proud to reveal eVITA and to work with Motability Operations on such an important project that has the potential to positively impact so many lives, supporting Motability Scheme customers with freedom and enjoyment of travel as society transitions to electric,” said David Fairbairn, CALLUM managing director.
“Through this project we’ve leveraged our innovative design skills and engineering ingenuity within the CALLUM business to challenge the industry to be more inclusive and equitable for a more positive future."
Since its March 2024 reveal, eVITA has garnered significant industry attention, featuring in hundreds of articles in dozens of countries of around the world. A triumph of inclusive design and engineering, the project has helped draw attention to a crucial issue that is set to impact many thousands of people in the UK alone unless the automotive industry takes notice, collaborates and initiates decisive action.
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