Catherine Marris chairs landmark panel on ‘Building an Accessible EV Future for All’ at the UK’s leading electric vehicle and charging conference
London, UK — September 2025 — Open Road Access (ORA), the purpose-driven innovation company transforming accessible transport across the UK, took centre stage at this year’s EV Charge Live as its Director of Partnerships, Policy & Impact, Catherine Marris, chaired a high-profile panel on ‘Building an Accessible EV Future for All.’
The session brought together leading voices from across the electric vehicle, charging, and accessibility sectors to explore how the UK can ensure that no one is left behind in the transition to zero-emission transport.
For ORA — a company founded to close the nation’s transport accessibility gap — the discussion marked another milestone in its mission to embed accessibility at the heart of sustainable mobility design.
‘The shift to electric must also be a shift toward inclusion,’ said Catherine Marris. ‘Accessibility is not a niche feature of the future transport system — it is a defining test of whether that system truly serves everyone.’
Championing Accessibility in the Net Zero Era
EV Charge Live, held at London’s ExCeL in October 2025, convened more than 5,000 delegates across the EV ecosystem — from charge point operators and vehicle manufacturers to policymakers, investors, and community advocates.
Catherine’s panel was one of the most anticipated sessions of the conference, reflecting the growing recognition that inclusive design is essential to achieving the UK’s net zero transport ambitions.
As chair, Catherine guided a dynamic discussion spanning the entire accessibility value chain: from charge point hardware and site design to digital interfaces, policy frameworks, and lived experience leadership.
Under her direction, panellists explored:
- How to implement and scale the UK’s new PAS 1899 Accessible EV Charging Standard,
- The business case for inclusive infrastructure,
- Barriers faced by disabled drivers and passengers today, and
- Opportunities to align accessibility with broader environmental and social impact goals.
Throughout, the conversation returned to a single principle: an equitable transport future depends on accessibility being built in — not bolted on.
‘When we talk about net zero, we are really talking about a collective transition,’ Catherine noted. “That transition must be just, inclusive, and human-centred — otherwise, we risk creating a greener world that is not a fairer one.”
From Policy to Practice: Turning Standards into Action
Catherine’s leadership at EV Charge Live builds on her instrumental role in creating the world’s first accessible EV charging standard, PAS 1899, developed in partnership with the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and the British Standards Institution (BSI).
The standard, launched in 2022, defines how charge points and surrounding environments should be designed to ensure accessibility for disabled people. But as Catherine emphasised during the session, standards alone are not enough — the challenge now is scaling delivery.
Panellists discussed practical approaches to implementation, from inclusive procurement and planning to real-world testing with disabled users. They also highlighted how collaboration between government, industry, and innovators like ORA is key to achieving national coverage of accessible charging within the decade.
‘We’ve proven that inclusive design is possible,” said Catherine. “Now we have to prove it’s scalable — that every driver, everywhere in the UK, can find a charging point that works for them.’
ORA’s Role in Building an Accessible EV Ecosystem
For ORA, accessibility in electric mobility is not a future aspiration — it’s a current priority.
The company’s nationwide Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) hire service already supports thousands of customers, providing flexible, door-to-door accessible transport for as little as one day or as long as several months.
As the UK accelerates toward full EV adoption, ORA is pioneering how the transition can empower, rather than exclude, disabled and older people.
Key initiatives include:
- Integrating EVs into ORA’s WAV fleet, expanding sustainable accessible travel options;
- Collaborating with local authorities and charge point providers to pilot inclusive charging locations;
- Supporting public awareness campaigns that highlight the human stories behind accessibility innovation.
At EV Charge Live, Catherine showcased how these projects align with ORA’s broader ambition: to enable 15 million accessible journeys annually by 2030.
‘Accessibility and sustainability share the same DNA’ Catherine said. ‘Both are about designing systems that work better for everyone — resilient, fair, and future-ready.’
A Voice of Influence in Accessible Transport
Catherine Marris is widely recognised as one of the UK’s most influential figures in accessible transport policy and innovation. Before joining ORA, she founded and led the Innovation, Policy & Research function at the Motability Foundation, directing over £30 million in funding to improve accessibility across the UK’s transport network.
Her vision also led to the creation of the National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat) — the world’s first dedicated hub for research and innovation in this field.
At ORA, she continues to bring this expertise to bear, ensuring that inclusion is not just an ethical imperative but a strategic driver of innovation and growth.
‘Catherine’s work continues to set the agenda for accessible mobility,’ said David Dew Veal, CEO of ORA. ‘By chairing this panel at EV Charge Live, she reaffirmed that inclusion is central to the future of transport — not an afterthought. Her leadership is shaping how the industry thinks, plans, and builds for accessibility at scale.’
The Human Case for Inclusive EV Design
One of the most resonant themes from the session was the human impact of accessible design.
Disabled drivers currently face significant barriers when using EV charging infrastructure — from physical obstacles at charge points to inaccessible payment apps. These barriers not only restrict mobility but also exclude millions from the benefits of the green transition.
Catherine’s panel called for a shift in mindset: viewing accessibility not as a compliance challenge but as an innovation opportunity that improves the experience for all users.
‘When you design for the edges, you improve the middle,’ Catherine said. ‘Accessible charging benefits everyone — parents with buggies, older drivers, people with temporary injuries. It’s universal design in action.’
The discussion drew particular praise from audience members representing disability charities, local authorities, and EV networks — many of whom described it as the ‘most meaningful and solutions-focused session of the event.’
The Panellists Driving the Conversation
Catherine was joined on the panel by several other respected industry voices, each bringing complementary expertise to deepen the discussion:
- Ryan McGibbon (EV Infrastructure Manager, Southwark Council) — As a local authority specialist, Ryan brought a practical, on-the-ground perspective on deploying public charging infrastructure in urban settings, highlighting integration with municipal planning and community needs.
- Warren Smith (Chair, EVA England) — As Chair of the UK’s national association representing electric vehicle drivers, Warren brought the vital voice of the user community. He spoke passionately about the lived experience of disabled and non-disabled EV drivers alike, the importance of trustworthy charging networks, and how user-led advocacy can accelerate the uptake of accessible infrastructure.
- Rajesh Kungur (Transport & Mobility Lead, BSI Group) — Rajesh added a standards and regulatory dimension, speaking to how frameworks like PAS 1899 might be strengthened, adopted, and monitored in collaboration with industry.
Industry Recognition and Collaboration
EV Charge Live 2025 underscored the momentum behind accessibility as a defining issue in the energy and mobility sectors. ORA’s participation placed the company among a vanguard of organisations driving inclusive innovation at the intersection of transport, energy, and technology.
‘Our goal is to make accessibility mainstream — to embed it so deeply in every design brief and business case that it becomes second nature,” Catherine remarked. “This isn’t about special treatment; it’s about equal participation in a shared future.’
Beyond the Conference: A Call to Action
For ORA, EV Charge Live was more than a speaking engagement — it was a platform to inspire systemic change.
The company continues to advocate for accessibility as a core pillar of sustainable mobility, calling on policymakers, investors, and technology leaders to co-create solutions with disabled people from the start.
As the UK prepares for its 2030 EV milestone, ORA’s message is clear: the success of the electric transition will be measured not only in carbon saved, but in lives empowered.
‘The EV revolution is about freedom — freedom to move, to connect, to participate,’ Catherine concluded. “’That freedom must be for everyone.’
About Open Road Access (ORA)
Open Road Access (ORA) is a purpose-driven innovation company transforming accessible transport and closing the UK’s transport accessibility gap. Its mission is to ensure that everyone can move freely, independently, and with dignity.
Founded in 2023, ORA combines technology, co-design, and community engagement to deliver scalable, flexible mobility solutions. Its flagship Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) hire service offers nationwide coverage, flexible rental terms, and delivery direct to customers’ doors.
ORA aims to enable 15 million accessible journeys annually by 2030, redefining how accessible transport is conceived, designed, and delivered.
Website: www.openroadaccess.co.uk
Media contact: press@openroadaccess.co.uk
