Peter Vosper: Is the Motability scheme working fairly?

There have been questions in the press about whether the Motability scheme is working for the benefit of those that need it and concerns about whether there has been an irresponsible push towards electric vehicles.

One of the most important factors for electric vehicle owners is where you are going to charge the battery. I have said in this column many times that for those who can have a wall box at home, there are significant savings and convenience.

It appears large numbers of the 70,000 Motability customers who switched to electric vehicles in 2024 were trying to return them because they could not find accessible charging points. It is the responsibility of Motability and its suppliers to ensure potential electric vehicle users understand how charging works and where they are going to charge them.

Motability, which is owned by four big banks, invested £57.5m of a total allocation of £265.7m to subsidise EV prices and install 66,000 free home charge points. Unfortunately, only about half of Motability customers have off-street parking, and for the rest, lack of accessible charging points is an issue. Both this and the previous government have committed to investment in charging points, but in rural areas in particular this is hopelessly inadequate.

A spokesman for Motability Operations, which runs the scheme on behalf of its charitable foundation, said it supported 815,000 disabled people. “We need to ensure our customers are not left behind in the UK’s shift to electric, which is why we’ve invested in making EVs more accessible,” he said.

There has also been a widening of eligibility, and DWP figures show there are 650,111 people with mental health conditions in receipt of the enhanced mobility award in January. These include “mixed anxiety and depressive disorders”, and the main disabling condition for a further 129,000 is listed as autistic spectrum disorder.

Manufacturers and dealers support and subsidise the scheme, and some manufacturers have taken the opportunity to offer cheaper prices or offers to contribute to government targets for sales of electric vehicles.

Concerns that the scheme is being abused have been voiced, but it is the choice of the recipients to give up their weekly entitlement of £75.75 to put the money towards a new car. Motability encourages the reporting of misuse and had an agreement with the police to investigate any alleged malpractice. Last year it removed 5,300 customers from the scheme.

We should not forget the Motability scheme helps disabled people to move around more easily, and many would be severely restricted if the option to have a vehicle were removed. It would not cost any less money. Motability allows those who qualify for the higher rate mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to exchange the allowance for a lease on a new vehicle, which includes insurance, servicing and breakdown cover. This ensures they are not disadvantaged and can contribute and access normal life in a better way.

Look out for your local dealer who really cares for Motability customers and understands their requirements, giving proper advice and service.