OZEV EV Chargepoint | 2021

Designers: Dan Toon, Darren Seymour, Olly Evans, Andy Clark, and Lucy Mitchell, PA Consulting, Melbourn, United Kingdom
Manufacturer: Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, London, United Kingdom

In the run-up to COP26, the 2021 UN climate change conference held in Glasgow, the UK Government saw an opportunity to raise awareness and generate excitement about the role design can play in helping people make the switch to zero-emissions vehicles.
The ambition was to unveil a new design concept for electric vehicle (EV) charge points that could become as recognizable and iconic as the red post box or black cab.

The unique and distinctive ChargePoint design combines practicality and inclusivity.

Simple and modern in appearance, the design incorporates a sense of joy that encourages engagement and inspires users to reach out and use the new device.

By improving discoverability and usability, the design is having a profound impact on how we think about EVs and charging, accelerating the transition to zero-emission road transport and helping deliver the reduction in emissions needed to secure a carbon-neutral future.
While the stature of the ChargePoint has been lowered, the unique handset and cable feed are ergonomically designed for the broadest range of heights and strengths.

Horizontal height operation is optimized from 95%ile to 45%ile wheelchair users.

This is enabled by taller users interacting with the ring handset using a horizontal grip and wheelchair users with a vertical grip.

The UK government’s transport decarbonization plan is a world-leading ‘greenprint’ for building a net zero transport system by 2050.

Key to delivering the plan will be a switch from petrol and diesel cars to electric vehicles (EVs).

By delivering a concept that makes charging easy, safe, and practical for as many users as possible, the government aims to shift how the population thinks about electric vehicles and get more to choose to drive them.

The design concept provides a blueprint that manufacturers can use in any context to create recognizable, user-friendly ChargePoints This will enable drivers to easily find and use any ChargePoint regardless of its location, removing the need to grapple with different interfaces when they need to charge their car.

The result is an inclusive, inspiring, and sustainable design that has the potential to become an instantly recognizable piece of street furniture.

The design’s human-centered practicality gives the potential to spark a revolution that will have a profound impact on the quality of our environment and the lives of future generations.