The 2026 ChargeAble Challenge
Birmingham to Spain Electric Vehicle Challenge – With an Accessible Twist
The UK's First Documented Accessible EV Long Distance Study
We’re taking on the UK’s first accessible EV long-distance journey — driving a fully electric VW ID.4 with push/pull hand controls from Birmingham (UK) to Alicante (Spain).
On board is a disabled driver alongside a representative from a leading disability charity, with one clear mission:
Is the future of travel truly open to everyone?
This is a real-world test to see if an accessible electric vehicle can complete a long-distance European journey — and what it actually takes.
Brought to you by…
What We’re Testing
This challenge goes beyond just “can it make it?”
We’ll be tracking:
- Total journey time
- Charging costs
- Number of stops required
- Overall route efficiency
At the same time, we’re documenting the real experience for disabled drivers, including:
- Accessibility of EV charging stations
- Ease of charging with hand controls
- Parking, layouts, and usability
- Real-world barriers along the way
No assumptions — just honest, real-life results.
Why It Matters
Electric vehicles are the future — but accessibility can’t be an afterthought.
This journey is about highlighting the challenges, raising awareness, and pushing for a more inclusive EV infrastructure that works for everyone.
We’ll be sharing updates, insights, and results throughout the trip — so you can follow along and see how accessible long-distance EV travel really is.