Wheelchairs with power add-ons now available in Scotland

We’re always looking for ways we can offer more choice on the Motability Scheme.

If you live in Scotland and get a qualifying mobility allowance from Social Security Scotland, you can now lease a manual wheelchair, or a manual wheelchair with a power add-on.

These products combine the benefits of manual and powered wheelchairs, giving you the freedom to push yourself or use the battery power add-on if you need more power or you’re going on a longer journey.


What is a manual wheelchair with power add-on?

It’s a manual wheelchair with an electric-powered attachment that goes on the front or back of the wheelchair.

You can choose to push the wheelchair yourself, or with help from someone else. But if you ever need more power, you can turn on the power add-on, sometimes called a wheelchair power pack.

This is useful for hills or inclines, or if fatigue sets in during a longer journey.

You can also lease a manual wheelchair without a power add-on, but you cannot lease a power add-on without leasing a wheelchair as well.

These products are different to powered wheelchairs, which are fully battery operated.

So you know, you can only have one Motability Scheme lease at a time. This means you cannot lease one of these products if you already have another vehicle or product on the Scheme. 

Watch our video to see Jim Wood, who looks after our Powered Wheelchair and Scooter Scheme, talk through how a wheelchair with a front and rear power add-on works.

Do they come with the same lease package as scooters and powered wheelchairs?

Yes, you’ll get the same all-inclusive package as you’d receive with any other Motability Scheme lease. This means insurance, servicing and maintenance, and breakdown cover is all included.

Where can I find more information about these products?

They’re not on our website just yet, so please speak to one of our dealers in Scotland. Or you can contact the supplier, RGK Wheelchairs, directly for more information.

They’ll explain the wheelchairs and power add-ons we have available and help you decide if they could meet your needs.

What allowance do I need to lease one of these products?

You’ll need to receive one of these three Scottish allowances:

  • Higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment (CDP)
  • Enhanced rate mobility component of Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
  • Higher rate mobility component of Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (Scottish Adult DLA)

This is because the Motability Scheme is part of the Accessible Vehicles and Equipment (AVE) Scheme in Scotland. It’s administered differently to the rest of the UK.

We do not set the criteria for qualifying allowances or the types of vehicles and products we can offer.

If you live in Scotland but currently get a different higher rate mobility allowance, you should eventually be transferred on to ADP, CDP Scottish Adult DLA.

You can find more on the Scottish Government’s website.

Related articles

Top tips for using public transport with a powered wheelchair or scooter

Guide to getting your powered wheelchair or scooter into a car

Exploring nature in a powered wheelchair

From the Motability Scheme


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