Types of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
If you are purchasing your very first wheelchair accessible vehicle, you might be researching everything there is to know about what options are available to you.
There are different sized wheelchair accessible vehicles available from FMC Cars, from compact 3-4 seater options right through to 7-8 seater wheelchair accessible vehicles.
This is usually dependant on how many passengers will be travelling with the wheelchair user at any time.
There are three main types of wheelchair accessible vehicle; wheelchair lift, wheelchair ramp and side entry and it’s important to know the difference when the time comes to looking for your next WAV.
Wheelchair Lift
One of the most convenient options is the wheelchair lift which, as the name suggests, has an electronically controlled lift that elevates the wheelchair user up to the height of the vehicle floor, so they can wheel themselves into the vehicle.
The wheelchair lift is then folded into the vehicle and secured safely. One thing to note is that the lift takes up more space than the ramp, so often there are fewer seats.
Wheelchair lifts are often found in larger vehicles that are higher up from ground level such as the Peugeot Boxer and Volkswagen Transporter.
This option is best suited to those who struggle to push a wheelchair in to a vehicle using a ramp.
Wheelchair Ramp
A wheelchair accessible vehicle with a wheelchair ramp is one of the most popular options as it isn’t greatly obtrusive but also makes it easy for the wheelchair user to access the vehicle.
The ramp allows the wheelchair user to be wheeled into the vehicle and secured safely.
The ramp can be folded into the rear of the vehicle rather than having to be taken apart and placed elsewhere.
The ramp doesn’t have as many mechanical parts as the wheelchair lift, so it’s more compact meaning there’s usually more seats in the vehicle.
Side Entry
If the wheelchair user would rather sit up front, you can opt for a side entry wheelchair accessible vehicle instead.
The ramp and swivel mechanism make it easy and safe for the wheelchair user to access the front passenger seat, leaving the second row of seats free for other passengers.
Another benefit of the side entry option is that the boot space remains intact, so your luggage can be placed safely out of the way.
If you would like to take a test drive of any of the wheelchair accessible vehicles we have for sale, get in touch with FMC Cars in Kidderminster today.