For many people, getting in and out of a vehicle comfortably and safely can become one of the biggest barriers to staying independent. Something as routine as visiting family, going shopping, attending appointments, or simply enjoying a day out can start to feel stressful or physically exhausting.
In this article, Mobility in Motion explore how the new Milford Person Lift could make life easier for wheelchair users looking to get seated in a standard vehicle as a driver or passenger.
At Mobility in Motion, it’s something we hear regularly from customers and the people who support them. As modern vehicles, particularly SUVs, have become higher from the ground, transfers can become more challenging, sometimes limiting vehicle choice or making everyday journeys more difficult than they need to be.
That’s what led to the development of the new MPL XR, the latest evolution of the Milford Person Lift.
The Milford Person Lift has supported assisted vehicle transfers for nearly four decades and remains a popular transfer solution on the Motability Scheme. However, ever-changing vehicle designs created a growing need for greater flexibility and reach, particularly for people transferring into taller vehicles where the wheelchair position sits significantly lower than the vehicle floor.
The MPL XR has been designed specifically to address this challenge.
Its extended reach allows the lift to work across a much wider range of vehicles, including many popular SUV models. Crucially, the lift can now reach below its mounting point and extend down past the edge of the vehicle itself. This means that where a wheelchair sits lower than the vehicle edge, there is now a more practical and secure way to complete the transfer safely and comfortably.
While the engineering changes are significant, the thinking behind them is very human. For many people, an assisted transfer is not simply about getting into a vehicle, it’s about maintaining independence, confidence, and the freedom to continue living life on their terms. Just as importantly, the Milford Person Lift helps many passengers continue travelling in a standard car alongside family and friends, enjoying the comfort, safety features, and social experience of sitting in a front or rear passenger seat.
For some individuals, assisted transfers are essential to continuing everyday routines and staying connected to the people and places that matter most. For family members and carers, they can also help reduce physical strain and make journeys feel safer, calmer, and more manageable for everyone involved.
Importantly, developments like the MPL XR can also help preserve vehicle choice. SUVs have become increasingly popular for many reasons, including driving position, comfort, visibility, and practicality. But for some disabled passengers, those same vehicles can create additional transfer difficulties without the right support in place.
Rather than asking customers to compromise on the type of vehicle they want or need, solutions like the MPL XR are helping accessibility technology evolve alongside modern vehicle trends.
The result is not simply a new version of an existing product, but a renewed focus on practical, everyday accessibility. By extending the capabilities of the Milford Person Lift, the MPL XR offers a practical solution to a challenge many disabled travellers still face today, helping more people travel comfortably, confidently, and with greater freedom in the vehicles they want to use.
Sometimes, the right adaptation is not about changing how people travel but helping them continue travelling the way they want to.
The MPL XR will replace the current model on the Motability Scheme from 1st September 2026.
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Launched in 2023, but built on over 40 years industry experience, Mobility in Motion is transforming automotive accessibility through an inclusive, customer-first approach. By offering tailored solutions, expert advice, and partnering with top manufacturers, the company ensures that travel is safe and accessible for all, while working hard to promote visibility for underrepresented groups in the mobility sector.
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