Motability Operations has been named as a delivery partner on Power Wheels, an Ofgem-funded innovation project examining how electric vehicle (EV) batteries could support disabled and medically dependent households during power outages.
The project, delivered alongside the Centre for Energy Equality, Northern Powergrid, Energy Systems Catapult and Energy Innovation Centre, is focused on the North East of England. It centres on whether an EV could temporarily serve as a backup power source during a power cut, keeping essential medical equipment operational.
Power cuts pose particular risks for disabled people who rely on electricity for medical equipment, mobility aids and daily care. Motability Operations reports that more than 12,500 of its EV customers are based in the North East alone.
During the project's first phase, researchers worked with disabled customers to assess the practical requirements for using two-way chargers technology that allows energy to flow from an EV back into a home. Key findings pointed to the need for accessible controls that protect battery charge levels, alongside clear guidance to help disabled drivers manage their vehicle's energy usage.
In the next phase, Motability Operations will work directly with 30 Scheme customers through workshops to examine how the technology performs across a range of disabilities and requirements. Those findings will then inform the co-creation of solutions for future testing.
The project's broader aim is to build evidence that could support wider energy resilience measures for vulnerable households across the UK.