How much do electric wheelchairs cost?

How much do electric wheelchairs cost? This will always be one of the first questions anyone will ask when researching the electric wheelchairs, and that’s fine. After all, price matters! It’s not the only consideration but it’s fairly important, and for many of us it has a big influence over what products we choose.

At Felgains, we believe in educating every prospective buyer, even if that ultimately leads you towards a different supplier of power chairs. So, in this article, I’ll do my best to outline how much electric wheelchairs cost in the UK and explain to you what factors affect the price.

How much is an electric wheelchair?

How much a powerchair costs largely depends on how complex the user’s needs are. 

To give you an overview, standard powerchairs start at around £2,000, and will often be compact, travel-friendly chairs with limited customisation available. As an example, the Robooter E40 below is a compact, foldable indoor electric wheelchair that costs £2695.

More specialist powerchairs for users with complex needs start at around £4,000 and can cost upwards of £10,000, depending on the level of customisation required. An example of a more specialist powerchair is the below Invacare TDX powerchair, which starts at £5370, excluding VAT.

Specialist standing powerchairs are the most expensive electric wheelchairs, often costing over £20,000. For example, the Permobil F5 Corpus VS, pictured below, costs around £25,000.

Can electric wheelchairs be purchased without VAT?

Yes, powerchairs that are designed solely for use by disabled people are eligible for VAT relief. 

Under VAT Notice 701/7, you can buy an electric wheelchair VAT-free if:

• You are chronically sick or disabled
• You are buying the chair for personal or domestic use

It’s important to note that there are separate rules for disabled people in a hospital or nursing home. VAT Notice 701/31 makes clear that goods cannot be provided, ordered or paid for by the institution. However, charities can buy a powerchair for a disabled person (for personal or domestic use) at 0% VAT.

Related article: Can you buy an electric wheelchair VAT-free?

What else affects the cost of a powerchair?

Adding options and accessories to your powerchair can add additional cost. for example, a storage cover can add around £30.

There may also be ongoing servicing and maintenance costs to consider, depending on how often you are planning to use the chair and what service package you choose.

I trust this article has given you a good understanding of how much electric wheelchairs cost. We sell a large range here at Felgains, so if you still have questions or would like to purchase a powerchair, please call us on 01473 741144, or pop into our showroom in Ipswich if you’re nearby!

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