Wheelchair users now have the option to include a lightweight manual wheelchair when leasing a car through the Motability Scheme. The new initiative, available to anyone placing a new application for a car, has been designed to ensure customers have enhanced mobility when arriving at their destination.

Available for a one-off upfront payment of £100, the lightweight manual wheelchairs can be ordered via a car dealership at the same time as ordering a Scheme car. There are two options – the Van os Medical Excel G Logic and the Karma Ergo Lite 2 – both available as either self-propelled, for those who wish to travel independently, or assistant-propelled, which requires someone to push the wheelchair.

Lisa Witherington, head of customer services, Motability Operations, said:

“Having piloted the option of leasing a lightweight manual wheelchair in addition to a Scheme car last year, customer feedback was incredibly positive. For wheelchair users who want to increase their independence or simply want to be able to see more of the destinations they are travelling to in their Motability Scheme cars, a secondary, easy-to-stow wheelchair is an ideal, value for money solution.”

The wheelchair options are specifically lightweight in design and fold to allow easy transportation in customers’ Motability Scheme cars. Additionally, the products can be made even lighter by dismantling or removing the wheels, footrests, or seat cushions for easier stowage. And as with all products leased through the Motability Scheme, the lightweight manual wheelchair is fully supported throughout the lease.

Anyone who receives the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment, the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance, War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or Armed Forces Independence Payment can exchange their mobility allowance to lease a new car through the Motability Scheme.

For more information on leasing a lightweight wheelchair, alongside a car, through the Motability Scheme, visit motability.co.uk/wheelchair or call 0800 953 7000.

About the Motability Scheme:
The Motability Scheme is the UK’s leading car scheme for disabled people. It provides affordable, convenient, worry-free motoring to over 625,000 disabled customers and their families. Scooters and powered wheelchairs can also be leased through the Motability Scheme.

The Scheme is available to anyone who receives the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance, the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement or the Armed Forces Independence Payment. Motability Operations Ltd arranges for the relevant lease payments to be automatically deducted from the customer’s weekly higher rate mobility allowance and paid directly to us by the Department for Work and Pensions or Veterans UK.

When leasing a Motability Scheme car, insurance for two named drivers, servicing and maintenance, full RAC breakdown assistance, tyre and windscreen replacement and 60,000 mileage allowance over three years are all included in the cost of the lease. A range of popular car adaptations are also available at no additional cost.

When leasing a scooter or powered wheelchair, insurance, breakdown assistance, servicing, maintenance and repairs and tyre and battery replacement are all included in the cost of the lease. Pricing is standard nationwide.

There is a wide range of ‘green’ vehicles with emissions of 100g of CO 2  per km or less available through the Scheme.

Motability is a Registered Charity in England and Wales (number 299745) and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (reference number 736309). Motability also provides grants to customers, who would otherwise be unable to afford the mobility solution they need.

Motability Operations Ltd is an independent company that operates the Motability Scheme under contract to Motability (the charity). Any profits are non-distributable and are reinvested for the benefit of customers. Motability Operations Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under reference number 735390.