STUDENTS from Coventry University are among those challenged with designing a prototype electric wheelchair-accessible vehicle (eWAV) as part of a competition by Motability Operations and CALLUM.
The students will be competing with their peers from the Glasgow school of art in an attempt to solve the problems wheelchair users currently face when looking to transition to electric vehicles.
The winners will be given a paid placement at design and engineering firm CALLUM, which will bring the student’s vision to life by producing an eWAV prototype for testing.
Ian Callum CBE, design director at CALLUM, said: “Electric vehicles are not delivering the required functionality for people with disabilities.
“As EV usage increases, we want to ensure that electrification doesn’t threaten disabled mobility.”
Motability currently supplies 7,000 WAVs to customers each year, with many choosing smaller vehicles as they’re cheaper to run.
However, batteries are usually in the floor of electric vehicles, making it challenging to offer small eWAVs and meaning those running them face higher costs and less usable space.
Motability Operations CEO Andrew Miller added: “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.
“WAVs provide freedom and independence for many of our Motability Scheme customers, and it’s very exciting to be working with CALLUM and Britain’s next generation of automotive designers to future-proof wheelchair-accessible motoring as we enter the electric world.”
Over 60 Coventry University students have submitted their eWAV designs, with those competing from the Glasgow School of Art handing in their designs on January 13 and the winner being announced later that month.
