Estate

Hatchback

Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition, featuring paintwork-protecting ‘Airbumps’ and eschewing the sporty looks favoured by most rivals.

Indeed, Citroën tends to keep away from sportiness altogether and instead tries to put comfort first.

Value (but not cheapness) is also key to the appeal of most Citroëns. And the company’s range includes everything from small hatchbacks (such as the C1 and C3) to big, family-friendly seven-seaters (the Spacetourer and Grand C4 Spacetourer).

The C3 Aircross SUV is another of its popular models, while a larger C5 Aircross is planned.

CITROEN

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

Today, the resurgent Seat brand is selling better cars than at any time in its history.

In large part, that’s because it is one of the brands owned by the VW Group. Underneath, all of the cars it sells are strongly related to similar models sold by Volkswagen itself, or the likes of Skoda and even Audi. If you are buying a Leon, for example, the hardware will be similar to that of the Golf, Octavia and A3.

But while Seat makes the most of this tie-up to offer everything from city, small and family cars, including estates, through to a full range of SUVs, it also adds in its own slice of character, both with its distinctive styling approach and because its engineers generally tune the cars to deliver sportier handling.

While all of its cars are decent, it is the SUVs that stand out. The Arona and Ateca are among the class leaders and have enjoyed triumphs at the What Car? Awards.

SEAT

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

ATECA

BERLINGO

CITIGO

FIESTA

FOCUS

KAMIQ

PUMA

T-ROC

more-electric-car-charging-support-for-disabled-drivers

Drivers who have disabilities could soon find it easier to charge up <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/electric-cars">electric cars</a>, thanks to new initiatives being tried out by Motability Operations, which operates the Motability scheme for disabled drivers.The organisation – which provides affordable motoring for disabled people and their families in the UK – is planning a series of pilot schemes to help drivers who want to go electric but don’t have the option of plugging in a car at home.It follows a Government-backed survey that showed that 71% of drivers with disabilities feared a lack of accessible charging options could derail their plans to trade in their petrol or diesel car for an electric one.

In one of the trials, Motability Operations will support drivers to use the Zap-Map app, which can be used to search for and navigate to public chargers.For a second trial, charging provider Co Charger will give drivers access to privately owned charging points at users’ homes.Motorists will be able to use a charging app called Bonnet to gain access to 17 charging networks across Europe, including Char.gy, Connected Kerb and ESB Energy.Some drivers taking part in the trial will also get access to a service called Charge Fairy, which can remotely monitor the level of charge in a car’s battery and send out a mobile generator to recharge it when needed.

Driving analytics company DriveTag is also taking part in the Motability trial, and will give participants feedback on their driving style, with tips on becoming more efficient to preserve their car’s battery life.Drivers across the UK with conditions that might make living with a car more difficult will take part in the pilot scheme.In its own survey, Motability Operations found that more than 40% of drivers using the scheme did not have access to off-street parking, ruling out charging up a car at home.Motability Operations head of innovation Jonathan Jenkins said it was “vital that there is worry-free access to charging for everyone”.

He added: “These important initiatives will help the increasing number of customers who want to make the switch to an electric-powered vehicle but are unable to charge at home.”In March, the Government announced <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/government-promises-tenfold-increase-in-electric-car-chargers-by-end-of-2030/n24332">plans to increase the number of charging points in the UK</a> to 300,000 by the end of 2030. A sales <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/new-petrol-and-diesel-cars-to-be-banned-from-2030/n15810">ban on new petrol and diesel cars</a> is due to come into force that year.For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">Read more: The best electric SUVs 2022 &gt;&gt;</a></h2>

More electric car charging support for disabled drivers

Motability

the-most-fuel-efficient-motability-cars

Hyundai

SCALA

Buying petrol or diesel can feel like taking a match to your wallet at the moment, with record prices putting the squeeze on all of us.&nbsp;

That makes buying a car with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/top-10-ways-to-improve-fuel-efficiency/n24213">good fuel efficiency</a> particularly important – especially if you’re going to spend most of your mobility allowance on a vehicle through the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-motability/n1116">Motability Scheme</a>.

And if you’re looking for a car that sips fuel, you might look at the official fuel economy figures for each model you're considering. Bear in mind, though, that while those numbers do show how thirsty or frugal a car is, you’re unlikely to match them in the real world.

That’s why What Car? has its own <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/truempg/mpg-calculator">True MPG</a> figures, which reveal the fuel economy you can expect in realistic real-world driving. To make sure they are accurate, we use strictly controlled conditions in our tests, and they simulate town, rural and motorway driving.

A car’s True MPG reflects what’s possible if you drive gently and stick to speed limits&nbsp;but don’t resort to specialised fuel-saving techniques such as <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-hypermiling/n24451">'hypermiling'</a>.

Here we’ve used our True MPG data to list the top 10 most fuel-efficient cars you can lease through Motability. If any of them catch your eye, follow the links to read our full review of each model.

Slideshow story – please click the right-hand arrow below to continue, or scroll down if you’re on mobile

The most fuel-efficient Motability cars

Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

True MPG 48.9 | Model&nbsp;1.0 T-GDi 48V 118 GT-Line S&nbsp;| List price £20,960&nbsp;| Target Price £19,956&nbsp;| Target PCP £244pm&nbsp;| Star rating&nbsp;4

With the&nbsp;Kia Rio you get&nbsp;a lot for your money. It’s cheaper than the mechanically-similar <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i20/hatchback/review/n53">Hyundai i20</a>&nbsp;yet offers similarly strong practicality and build quality, plus a long list of standard equipment.&nbsp;This version’s 1.0-litre <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-a-mild-hybrid-and-should-you-buy-one/n22776">mild-hybrid</a> engine has a small electric motor that slightly boosts fuel efficiency and low-rev punch, but doesn’t allow for electric-only driving. However, unless you do a high mileage, a non-electrically-assisted Rio is likely to be a cheaper option in the long term because it's available in lower trim levels.

10. Kia Rio

<h3>Pros:</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Most trims are well equipped</li>
	<li>Spacious rear-seat space and boot</li>
	<li>Class-leading warranty</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons:</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Fidgety ride in town</li>
	<li>So-so handling</li>
	<li>Mild-hybrid engine is only available with pricier trim levels</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/kia/rio/hatchback/deals">Find a great cash or PCP finance deal on a Kia Rio</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/rio/hatchback/review/n17367">read our full review &gt;&gt;</a>

True MPG 49.3&nbsp;|&nbsp;Model&nbsp;1.0 TSI 110 SE&nbsp;| List price £20,705 | Target Price £18,861&nbsp;| Target PCP £231pm&nbsp;| Star rating 5

The Skoda Scala is currently the cheapest <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-family-cars-2022/n16996">family car</a> available, and its supple ride, impressive practicality&nbsp;and tidy handling also make it one of the best. We recommend the 1.0 TSI 110 engine featured here because it offers enough low-end punch to keep up with traffic, plus decent overtaking power. It’s not too expensive an upgrade, either.

9. Skoda Scala

<h3 dir="ltr">Pros</h3>

<ul dir="ltr">
	<li>Comfortable ride and tidy handling</li>
	<li>Spacious rear seats and a big boot</li>
	<li>Cheap to buy and run</li>
</ul>

<h3 dir="ltr">Cons</h3>

<ul dir="ltr">
	<li>Noisier at speed than the quietest rivals</li>
	<li>Poorer resale values than its main rivals</li>
	<li>Interior feels a little cheap</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/skoda/scala/hatchback/deals">Find a great cash or PCP finance deal on a Skoda Scala</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/scala/hatchback/review/n19190">read our full review &gt;&gt;</a>

Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.

That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.

However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.

TOYOTA

Corolla Touring Sports

True MPG 49.4&nbsp;|&nbsp;Model&nbsp;2.0 VVTi Hybrid Design&nbsp;| List price £31,295&nbsp;| Target Price £30,213&nbsp;| Target PCP £278pm&nbsp;| Star rating 4

If you’re looking for an alternative to diesel <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-estate-cars-2022/n16998">estate cars</a>, the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports is worth a look. It offers exceptionally low running costs, lots of standard equipment and a comfortable ride.&nbsp;This version is&nbsp;a regular hybrid, meaning&nbsp;it doesn’t need to be plugged in to charge up,&nbsp;and it can only be had with a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/automatic-gearboxes-everything-you-need-to-know/n17022">CVT automatic gearbox</a>. It’s also a strong performer&nbsp;with enough punch for outside-lane motorway driving, even when the boot’s fully loaded.

8. Toyota Corolla Touring Sports

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Impressively low CO2 emissions on hybrids</li>
	<li>Comfortable ride</li>
	<li>Lots of standard kit</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>1.8-litre engine can be a little noisy</li>
	<li>Below-par infotainment system</li>
	<li>Relatively small boot by traditional class standards</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/toyota/corolla/estate/deals">Find a great cash or PCP finance deal on a Toyota Corolla Touring Sports</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/corolla/estate/review/n19141">read our full review &gt;&gt;</a>

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

HYUNDAI

Temporary taxonomy to unlink review until CAP taxonomy is updated

True MPG 49.9&nbsp;|&nbsp;Model&nbsp;1.0 T-GDi N-Line&nbsp;| List price £16,805&nbsp;| Target Price £16,086&nbsp;| Target PCP £195pm&nbsp;| Star rating 4

The Hyundai i10 is the car to pick if you want cultured motoring on a tight budget. It’s impressively refined, fun to drive&nbsp;and doesn’t feel as tight in the back as other low-cost <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-small-cars-2022/n16997">small cars</a>. This 1.0 T-GDi engine is the most powerful in the range, offering vigorous acceleration at low revs. However, it’s only available on the pricey N-Line trim.

7. Hyundai i10

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Comfortable and quiet to drive</li>
	<li>Five seats and decent rear space</li>
	<li>Loads of safety kit as standard</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Pricey to buy outright</li>
	<li>Non-turbocharged engines are a bit lacklustre</li>
	<li>Pricey to insure</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/hyundai/i10/hatchback/deals">Find a great cash or PCP finance deal on a Hyundai i10</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">read our full review &gt;&gt;</a>

Modern Fiats fall into two categories: the retro models and those with more functional designs.

Cars in the first camp appeal to the heart and include the 124 Spider sports car and the 500 series: a hatchback, a convertible, an SUV and two MPVs.

By contrast, the remaining models rely on their practicality and attractive pricing, with the Panda city car, Tipo hatchback and Fullback pick-up truck all prime examples.

Fiat can trace its roots back to the 19th century but is now part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, along with Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Jeep and Maserati.

FIAT

True MPG 50.0 |&nbsp;Model&nbsp;1.0 Mild Hybrid Dolcevita&nbsp;| List price £15,745&nbsp;| Target Price £15,264&nbsp;| Target PCP £186pm&nbsp;| Star rating 2

The Fiat 500 Hybrid is like a&nbsp;designer handbag – stylish,&nbsp;but also more expensive and less practical than like-for-like rivals. The engine featured here is a mild hybrid, meaning it can’t run on electric power alone. It's not powerful enough to keep up with fast-flowing traffic on a motorway, but it does the job&nbsp;around town.

6. Fiat 500 Hybrid

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Distinctive looks</li>
	<li>Easy to drive around town</li>
	<li>Plenty of customisation options</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Poor driving position</li>
	<li>Unsettled ride</li>
	<li>Coarse-sounding engine</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/fiat/500/hatchback/deals?engineHamId=FI5010HPI170">Find a great cash or PCP finance deal on a Fiat 500 Hybrid</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n22352">read our full review &gt;&gt;</a>

Suzuki is well known as a motorcycle manufacturer, but the car brand has been enjoying decent success in recent years, thanks to a line-up of neat, well-equipped and keenly priced models.

Its expertise focuses on smaller cars, although its high-riding SUV range is also hugely credible, especially the Ignis and Vitara, which are both rated highly by What Car?’s testers and which have enjoyed success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

Well priced, decent to drive and full of useful tech, Suzuki’s cars also generally stand out for delivering good fuel economy. The Ignis, Celerio and Baleno have all stood head and shoulders above the competition during our True MPG testing.

SUZUKI

SWACE

True MPG 50.3&nbsp;|&nbsp;Model 1.8 Hybrid SZ-T| List price £27,499&nbsp;| Target Price £27,164&nbsp;| Target PCP £352pm&nbsp;| Star rating 3

The Suzuki Swace is like a cover version of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/corolla/estate/review/n19141">Toyota Corolla Touring Sports</a> – it’s virtually identical, save for some styling tweaks and Suzuki branding. This 1.8-litre hybrid engine isn’t as muscular&nbsp;as the 2.0-litre from the&nbsp;Corolla, but it’s still adequate in most situations, and uses less fuel.

5. Suzuki Swace

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Low CO2 emissions</li>
	<li>Comfortable ride</li>
	<li>Lots of standard kit</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Can be rather noisy when pushed</li>
	<li>Below-par infotainment system</li>
	<li>More expensive than the very similar Corolla Touring Sports</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/suzuki/swace/estate/deals">Find a great cash or PCP finance deal on a Suzuki Swace</a> or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/suzuki/swace/estate/review/n22556">read our full&nbsp;review &gt;&gt;</a>

PICANTO

True MPG 51.7&nbsp;|&nbsp;Model&nbsp;1.0 2&nbsp;| List price £13,310&nbsp;| Target Price £12,719&nbsp;| Target PCP £171pm&nbsp;| Star rating 3

The Kia Picanto is closely related to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a>&nbsp;so, like that car,&nbsp;it handles well. It also offers a smart-looking interior and an intuitive infotainment system. This 1.0-litre engine lacks the urge of the&nbsp;i10’s turbocharged unit, but it's also less&nbsp;thirsty and is still powerful enough for town use.

4. Kia Picanto

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Really tidy handling</li>
	<li>Frugal 1.0 MPi petrol engine</li>
	<li>Excellent infotainment and equipment on 3 trim</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>1.0 MPi petrol engine isn't very quick</li>
	<li>Firm(ish) low-speed ride</li>
	<li>A <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/review/n55">Dacia Sandero</a> is much roomier</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/kia/picanto/hatchback/deals">Find a great cash or PCP finance deal on a Kia Picanto</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">read our full review &gt;&gt;</a>

True MPG 56.0&nbsp;|&nbsp;Model&nbsp;1.0 65PS R-Line&nbsp;| List price £15,890&nbsp;| Target Price £15,477&nbsp;| Target PCP £196pm&nbsp;| Star rating 3

You might think a car that’s been on sale for a decade isn’t very fuel efficient, but you’d be mistaken. Beyond its very good efficiency for a non-hybrid car, the Volkswagen Up offers great handling and a well-built interior. Unfortunately, the engine isn’t very good: it produces only 59bhp, which really limits its usefulness to low-speed driving, and reaching motorway speeds is a struggle.

3. Volkswagen Up

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Good fun to drive</li>
	<li>Economical three-cylinder engines</li>
	<li>Relatively classy interior finish</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Limited safety technology</li>
	<li>Some rivals offer better value</li>
	<li>Harsh ride on larger wheels</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/volkswagen/up/hatchback/deals">Find a great cash or PCP finance deal on a Volkswagen Up</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/up/hatchback/review/n9">read our full&nbsp;review &gt;&gt;</a>

Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.

The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.

The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.

And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.

HONDA

JAZZ

True MPG 56.0&nbsp;|&nbsp;Model&nbsp;1.0 i-MMD Hybrid EX&nbsp;| List price £23,545&nbsp;| Target Price £22,812&nbsp;| Target PCP £250pm&nbsp;| Star rating 5

The Honda Jazz is our 2022 What Car? <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/car-of-the-year-awards-2022-small-car-of-the-year/n23976">Small Car of the Year</a>&nbsp;and it&nbsp;defies its size with remarkable practicality thanks to a big boot and clever cinema-style rear seating.&nbsp;It's&nbsp;only available with one engine – a 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid that you don’t need to plug in to charge – and that provides plenty of pep&nbsp;and great fuel efficiency.

2. Honda Jazz

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Very spacious with great seating flexibility</li>
	<li>Lots of standard equipment</li>
	<li>Slow depreciation</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Pricey by small car standards</li>
	<li>Not the quietest cruiser</li>
	<li>Disappointing infotainment system</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/honda/jazz/hatchback/deals">Find a great cash or PCP finance deal on a Honda Jazz</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/jazz/hatchback/review/n17343">read our full review &gt;&gt;</a>

YARIS

True MPG 59.9 |&nbsp;Model&nbsp;1.5 Hybrid Design&nbsp;| List price £21,890&nbsp;| Target Price £20,842&nbsp;| Target PCP £203pm&nbsp;| Star rating 4

The Toyota Yaris is a competitively priced small car with respectable performance and enjoyable handling. It is a little cramped in the back, though, and its firm ride won’t suit everyone. It's&nbsp;available with one engine – a 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid which is incredibly efficient at low speeds (it averaged 80.0mpg in the town section of our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/truempg/mpg-calculator">True MPG</a> testing).

1. Toyota Yaris

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Excellent real-world fuel economy</li>
	<li>Toyota's reliability record</li>
	<li>Slow predicted depreciation</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Below-par infotainment system</li>
	<li>Firm ride – especially on models with 17in alloys</li>
	<li>Cramped in the back</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/toyota/yaris/hatchback/deals">Find a great cash or PCP finance deal on a Toyota Yaris</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/yaris/hatchback/review/n31">read our full review &gt;&gt;</a>

<hr />
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

<h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/every-brands-most-fuel-efficient-car-and-how-cheaply-you-can-buy-them/n23325">Read more:&nbsp;Every brand's most fuel-efficient car, and how cheaply you can buy them &gt;&gt;</a></h2>

lack-of-accessible-chargers-preventing-disabled-drivers-from-going-electric

More than two-thirds of disabled drivers intend to switch to an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">electric car</a> in the next decade but worry about the practicalities of charging, new research has revealed.The survey, which was conducted by electricity producer UK Power Networks in partnership with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tag/motability">Motability</a> organisation, showed that 71% of disabled customers see the shortage of accessible chargers as the main hurdle to them purchasing an electric vehicle (EV).Currently, the accessibility of public chargers is often undermined by the small size of parking bays, plugs being positioned too high for wheelchair users to reach, and the fact that there are few dropped kerbs to make it easy to get close to charging equipment.

With this in mind, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/disabled-drivers-to-benefit-from-standardised-electric-car-charge-points/n24343">new accessibility standards for EV charging</a> are currently being developed by the British Standards Institute and Motability, having been commissioned by the Department for Transport last year.In addition, local authorities are working together with UK Power Networks and Motability on the Enable project, which is designed to provide a greater understanding of the needs of customers and inform local authorities on how to increase inclusivity for disabled drivers when making the switch to an EV.It is estimated that by 2030, there will be 745,000 Blue Badge holders across London, the East and the South East, and more than half of those will rely on public chargers, with 80% of disabled drivers expecting chargepoints to be installed next to disabled parking bays.<hr />For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-best-electric-cars-in-2022-and-two-to-avoid/n24306">Read more: The best electric cars in 2022 – and two to avoid &gt;&gt;</a></h2>

Lack of accessible chargers preventing disabled drivers from going electric

disabled-drivers-to-benefit-from-standardised-electric-car-charge-points

Renault

Drivers with disabilities could soon find it easier to use electric car charging points, thanks to a new consultation opened by the Government investigating their accessibility.The consultation will be used by the British Standards Institute (BSI) to establish a new standard for <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/electric">electric car</a> chargers, aimed at addressing various barriers to their access. These include environmental problems, such as where chargers are placed and their spacing from each other, as well as their design.The standard will address the dimensions of charge points, including their height, the weight of cables and the tilt angle of any screens, with the goal of improving usability for people in wheelchairs.

The payment interface of charging points will also be addressed to make them easier for neurodivergent people – such as those with dyslexia – to use.Overall, the aim of the new standard is to create a more inclusive charging environment for disabled drivers, of which the BSI estimates there will be 2.7 million in 10 years’ time.The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tag/motability">Motability</a> charity, which runs a scheme to lease cars and wheelchair accessible vehicles to disabled people at affordable rates, will sponsor the new standard.

It expects half of disabled drivers to be reliant on public charging points by 2025, yet its chief executive, Barry Le Grys, says they currently face “a host of problems" using public charging. These range from confusing instructions on payment, to heavy charging cables and limited space to move around in charging bays.One of the aims of the consultation is to ensure consistency among charging points – something that was also the focus of a recent <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/government-promises-tenfold-increase-in-electric-car-chargers-by-end-of-2030/n24332">Government announcement</a> about charging infrastructure.Included in it were measures to enable drivers to use contactless payment at all chargers, as well as plans to improve the provision of public chargers tenfold (to 300,000) by 2030 – the year that sales of new <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/new-petrol-and-diesel-cars-to-be-banned-from-2030/n15810">petrol and diesel cars will be banned</a>.

Omitted from the consultation announcement was any mention of future technologies such as wireless charging pads, which were highlighted as a “promising solution” for accessibility in a 2020 report by Motability and Ricardo, an engineering firm. They were deemed as such because they would remove the need to interact with a physical charging point at all, but such technology is unlikely to be publicly available until later this decade.Charging firm Char.gy is currently trialling wireless chargers in Buckinghamshire using 10 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/review/n152">Renault Zoe</a> small electric cars.For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-best-electric-cars-in-2022-and-two-to-avoid/n24306">Read more: The best and worst electric cars &gt;&gt;</a></h2>

Disabled drivers to benefit from standardised electric car charge points

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test </li> <li>Quick charging times and compatibility with the most ubiquitous types of public charging points </li> <li>Priced to be within the grasp of more than just the privileged few </li> <li>As with any car, ride comfort, practicality and ownership costs can’t be ignored</li></ul>

We define an electric car as one that runs purely on battery power and has no tailpipe to puff out nasty chemicals.

The best of the breed offer sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test cycle.

Electric

common-questions-about-motability-answered

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-motability/n1116">Motability Scheme</a> is a way for those who are <a href="https://www.motability.co.uk/about/allowances/">eligible</a> for a disability allowance to exchange it towards leasing a new car. It’s all about allowing all drivers to maintain their independence and feel comfortable and confident behind the wheel.Not sure what Motability is, or how it works? We're happy to help and answer any questions customers may have. Here are their answers to a few of the most common queries...<h3>Where is my local dealer?</h3>With around 4,500 dealerships across the UK there’s bound to be a choice of dealers near to you. You can use Motability's ‘<a href="https://findadealer.motability.co.uk/cars/search">Find a Dealer</a>’ tool online and search by town, postcode or manufacturer.<h3>Why do some cars have an Advance Payment?</h3>Some larger or high-specification cars require an additional upfront payment or ‘Advance Payment'. This covers the shortfall between your allowance and  the actual cost of ownership for the length of the agreement. It is not a deposit and is therefore not refundable. However, there are around 300 cars available with no Advance Payment, and even some cars available that cost less than your weekly allowance (you can read our favourites <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/motability-cars-available-for-less-than-the-weekly-disability-allowance/n21811">here</a>). If you choose one of these, you will still receive the remainder of your allowance to spend however you choose.

<h3>How do I make an insurance claim?</h3>You will need to call RSA Motability (RSAM) on 0300 037 3737 and they will arrange for any necessary repairs to be completed. They will ask you to provide your customer reference number, the date, time and circumstances of the incident, as well as other details specific to your claim. You do not need to notify the Motability Scheme’s Customers Services team.<h3>Can I drive other cars?</h3>No. You’re only insured to drive cars that have been provided to you by the Scheme. You will be permitted to drive any temporary replacement vehicle the Scheme provides if your car requires repairs, for example a courtesy car provided by a recommended repairer.

<h3>Am I covered for personal belongings stolen from my car?</h3>No, and this also includes sat-navs or stereos not fitted as standard. If you wish to cover personal belongings, you will need to arrange your own insurance cover. One option is to extend your household insurance to items that are carried in your car. <h3>Who can drive my car?</h3>It’s important to remember that only named drivers are allowed to drive the car. Named drivers are shown as ‘permitted drivers’ on the Certificate of Motor Insurance. They are the people you choose to drive your Motability Scheme vehicle. You can have up to three named drivers on your insurance policy. Two named drivers can be nominated when you submit your application, and if you require a third driver during your lease, they can be added by contacting RSA Motability (RSAM) on 0300 037 3737.<h3>How do I add or change a driver?</h3>Call RSAM. Only the customer or their nominee can request a change of driver, and the new driver you wish to add will need to be with you when you call. This is so that RSAM can check their details and add them to the insurance straight away.<hr />For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/motability">Read more: all the latest Motability advice &gt;&gt;</a></h2>

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