PAS 1899:2022 is a British Standards Institution (BSI) specification meant for accessible electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, ensuring it is usable by disabled people and those with diverse accessibility needs. The specification sets the standards for physical design, placement, and information provision for public charge points.
As thousands of new charging points are being installed across the country, a critical question has emerged: Is our transition to green energy leaving people behind?
At Street Solutions UK, we’ve spent years providing the robust site equipment that keeps British roads safe and industries compliant. Now, we’re helping our clients bridge the gap between "functional" and "inclusive" by providing the essential EV parking bay products that turn a standard charger into a compliant, accessible hub.
What Is PAS 1899 and Why Does It Matter?
The Motability Foundation and the UK Government's Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) co-sponsor the PAS 1899:2022 BS. The purpose of this British Standard is to ensure that the 14 million disabled people in the UK, including the 2.35 million Blue Badge holders, are not excluded from the EV transition.
While the standard is currently voluntary, it is gaining regulatory momentum. In November 2025, the government backed an amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that would make PAS 1899 mandatory if voluntary uptake remains slow. Local authorities are already including it as a condition on funded public chargepoint programmes. Compliance today protects you from mandatory retrofit costs tomorrow.
Meeting PAS 1899 means thinking beyond the charger itself. The physical environment, signage, bay markings, and protection equipment all play a role. Here's what your EV parking bay needs to include.
EV Charging Equipment at the Right Height
At the heart of any compliant bay is the EV charging equipment itself. PAS 1899 sets specific dimensional requirements to ensure chargepoints are usable by drivers with mobility impairments, including wheelchair users. Socket outlets and tethered cable handles must be positioned between 800mm and 950mm from the ground. Display screens must fall within an 800 mm to 1,300 mm range, with sufficient contrast and illumination for users with visual impairments.
Tethered cables, where fitted, should be no longer than 7.5 metres and must be manageable. For high-powered bays, lighter or liquid-cooled cable options are recommended. Smart EV charging solutions that can be managed remotely and connected to a network are becoming common, making it easier for operators and helping to meet the rules set by the Public Charge Point Regulations 2023.
PAS 1899 Compliant EV Charging Products in the UK
When sourcing EV charging products and EV charging equipment, look for units that meet these dimensional requirements out of the box and that offer network connectivity for ongoing compliance monitoring.
- Protection Bollards for the Charging Infrastructure: Installing a chargepoint without protecting it is an expensive oversight. EV charging points in public and commercial settings are vulnerable to accidental vehicle impact and a damaged charger means lost revenue, a service outage, and a non-compliant bay. EV charging point protection bollards guard the charging unit while maintaining clear pedestrian access around it. You can find EV charging point protection bollards in our catalogue that directly support the PAS 1899 requirement for safe vehicle navigation to charge points.
- Bay Markings and Thermoplastic Symbols: Clear, durable bay markings are one of the most practical, and most overlooked, elements of an EV parking bay setup. PAS 1899 requires that chargepoint locations offer good visual contrast with surrounding surfaces in both wet and dry conditions. Proper bay markings achieve these goals directly, while also deterring non-EV drivers from occupying charging spaces (known as "ICEing"). Thermoplastic EV parking place symbols as well as EV charging point symbol stencils are both available in our catalogue, catering to the specific needs of buyers.
- Compliant EV Charging Signs: Signage is critical for providing drivers clear, immediate information about the purpose of the bay and any restrictions that apply. An electric vehicle charging point sign face with Class 2 R2/RA2 high-intensity reflectivity is perfect for meeting highway standards.
- Ground Surface and Spatial Compliance: PAS 1899 requires that the surfaces around chargepoints are smooth, well-drained, and uniform. A minimum 900-mm clear space between adjacent bays is mandatory to allow wheelchair users and those with mobility aids to manoeuvre safely. For Blue Badge bays, the spatial requirements are more generous, reflecting the needs of wheelchair-accessible vehicles. While ground resurfacing sits outside the scope of EV parking bay equipment per se, the surrounding infrastructure, including wheel stops, dropped kerbs where required, and tactile paving, contributes directly to compliance. Street Solutions UK's range of car and HGV wheel stops can help define bay boundaries precisely, preventing vehicles from encroaching on the safe access zone around charging equipment.
Don't Treat Pas 1899 As A Checklist - It Is A Framework Inclusive Ev Charging Infrastructure
Organisations often make the mistake of purchasing a charge point and assuming the bay is complete. PAS 1899 treats the entire physical environment as part of the specification. Every element from the EV charging equipment and the protection bollards to the bay markings, the signage, and the surrounding ground surface, must work together to create a space that is genuinely usable for everyone.
Street Solutions UK exists to make that easier. As a one-stop supplier of EV parking bay products and EV parking bay equipment, from thermoplastic markings and stencils to protection bollards and compliant EV charging signs, the range covers every physical element of a compliant, professional bay setup.
Whether you're outfitting a single bay or managing a large-scale rollout across multiple sites, Street Solutions UK has the EV charging products and EV charging equipment to help you get it right the first time. Browse the full EV parking bay range at Street Solutions UK and build a compliant, future-proof charging environment today.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is PAS 1899 a legal requirement for EV charging installations in the UK?
A:PAS 1899:2022 is currently a voluntary British Standard, but the UK government has backed an amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that would make compliance mandatory if voluntary uptake remains insufficient. Installing compliant EV parking bay equipment right now is the most cost-effective way to avoid mandatory retrofits.
2. What EV parking bay products do I need to meet PAS 1899?
A:A fully compliant bay requires more than just the charger. You will need EV charging equipment installed at the correct height (socket outlets between 800mm and 950mm from ground level), protection bollards to guard the unit from vehicle impact, clearly visible thermoplastic bay markings or stencils, compliant EV charging signage indicating the bay's purpose and any restrictions, and a smooth, slip-resistant, well-drained surrounding surface.
3. Can I use standard bollards to protect my EV charging point, or do I need specialist ones?
A:Standard bollards can provide physical protection, but EV charging point protection bollards are specifically designed to meet the practical and aesthetic needs of a charging environment. Street Solutions supplies EV protection bollards across the UK with features like colour-coded retro-reflective banding for visibility in low lighting.
4. What should I choose between a thermoplastic EV symbol and stencils to meet PAS 1899 compliance in the UK?
A:Pre-formed thermoplastic EV symbols are easier to meet the strict design, placement, and information requirements outlined in the PAS 1899:2022 specification than painted stencils. While stencils with road paint are a cost-effective option, they require frequent reapplications. Thermoplastic, though more expensive initially, is highly resistant to heavy traffic and harsh weather, lasting much longer.
5. Do I need specialist contractors to install EV parking bay equipment from Street Solutions UK?
A:Most of the EV parking bay products in the Street Solutions UK range are designed for straightforward installation by a competent site team without the need for specialist contractors. Full product specifications are available on the Street Solutions UK website to help you plan your installation.