PressClub United Kingdom · Article.
Charging Ahead: Dartmoor National Park Announces New Electric Vehicle Chargers to Help Drive More Sustainable Journeys
13.12.2023 Press Release
Located in three key sites across the Park, the new EV chargers will support zero emission journeys for tourists and local communities
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Kimberley Ragousis
BMW Group
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Author.
Kimberley Ragousis
BMW Group
- Located in three key sites across the Park, the new EV chargers will support zero emission journeys for tourists and local communities
- The new EV chargers were funded by BMW UK as part of its Recharge in Nature partnership with National Parks UK
- Through the partnership, BMW UK is also supporting its youth in nature programme, where Dartmoor National Park is working to nurture young people’s awareness and enjoyment of nature
Dartmoor National Park, is leading the charge in more
sustainable tourism with five new electric vehicle (EV) charging
points going live, funded by BMW UK through its Recharge in Nature
partnership with National Parks UK. The new chargers can each charge
two cars simultaneously meaning that EV drivers can travel with more
confidence to enjoy the beauty of Dartmoor.
The five new twin chargers have been installed in three key
locations, to increase the availability of public EV charging options
for local communities and visitors alike. The chargers are in:
- Postbridge Visitor Centre Car Park
- Princetown Visitor
Centre Car Park
- Meldon Reservoir Car Park
The installation of these chargers is also a significant step
towards the goal of increasing the EV charging infrastructure in the
UK National Parks through the Recharge in Nature partnership. To date,
33 chargers have been installed in National Parks across the UK, with
chargers in all 15 of the National Parks set to be installed before
the end of the three-year partnership.
In total, the UK’s National Parks are visited over 100 million
times each year
[1] – with 93
per cent of these visits being made by car
[2]. Enhancing
the EV recharging network is vital to enabling better access for the
lowest emitting and quietest vehicles.
In Dartmoor National Park, additional funding from BMW UK is
supporting its youth in nature environmental engagement programme to
nurture young people's appreciation of nature. By providing them with
access to the great outdoors, these sessions aim to inspire the
conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts of the future. Through a
diverse range of activities, such as overnight camping trips, and
footpath restoration projects, young people are discovering the
wonders of the natural world and the positive impacts it can have on
their mental health and wellbeing. Since the funding began in 2022,
the project has brought a taste of the great outdoors to 568 young
people, many of whom might otherwise not have opportunities to visit
the Park.
Andrew Watson, Head of Recreation, Access and Estates,
commented: “Dartmoor National Park is home to 36,000 people, alongside
the millions of visitors that come to enjoy the Park every year.
Working with National Parks Partnerships, BMW and PodPoint to install
these new electric charging points is about ensuring we can provide
choice and encourage lower emission travel options. We’re delighted to
have these new chargers so that we can enable visitors to charge their
vehicles whist taking time to visit our National Park Visitor Centres,
or explore the local area to experience all that Dartmoor National
Park has to offer.”
Graham Biggs, Corporate Communications Director, BMW UK, said:
“We're delighted that these new EV chargers have been installed in
Dartmoor. It means visitors can now take their electric cars to the
park with greater confidence, helping to reduce emissions and noise
pollution in this beautiful landscape. It also increases the EV
charging capacity of the area for those living or working in the park.
“In addition, it is a privilege to be supporting Dartmoor’s
community-based programmes for young people, which aim to spark a love
of nature amongst those who would otherwise have little opportunity to
enjoy it.”
Savannah Brownlow, Community Engagement Ranger, observed: “The
interest and uptake of the engagement project with schools and
community groups has been fantastic, highlighting the desire from
leaders in our communities to connect with Dartmoor and nature. Young
people are keener to be involved in nature conservation than we
realise and the difference this can make to their wider outlook is
vast and something I’m proud to be able to support.”
The BMW Group has set clear CO2 reduction targets across the
lifecycle of every vehicle and is constantly seeking new ways to cut
emissions. By 2030, the CO2 emissions per vehicle will be at least
halved from 2019 levels. BMW Group was one of the first automotive
brands to join the Business Ambition for 1.5°C as part of the Paris
Climate Agreement - the most robust commitment to the goal of full
climate neutrality, over the entire value-added chain, by 2050 at the
latest. By doing so, the company is also part of the Race to Zero.
For more information about BMW Group UK and the Recharge in
Nature partnership visit
bmw.co.uk/nationalparks
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI,
Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading
premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides
premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production
network comprises over 30 production sites worldwide; the company has
a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2022, the BMW Group sold nearly 2.4 million passenger
vehicles and more than 202,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit
before tax in the financial year 2022 was € 23.5 billion on revenues
amounting to € 142.6 billion. As of 31 December 2022, the BMW Group
had a workforce of 149,475 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term
thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the
future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and
efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from
the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.
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About National Parks UK
- There are 15 National
Parks in the UK, 10 in England, three in Wales and two in
Scotland.
- National Parks cover almost 10 percent of England, 20
percent of Wales and 8 percent of Scotland.
- Each National Park
is administered by its own authority, but that authority does not own
all of the land within the Park. They are independent bodies funded by
central government to:
> Conserve and enhance the natural
beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage.
> Promote
opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special
qualities of national parks by the public.
- In carrying out
these aims, National Park Authorities are also required to seek to
foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within
the National Park.
- National Parks are free to enter and explore
and have 104 million visits each year.
- For more information
visit www.nationalparks.uk
Ends
For further information please contact:
Kimberley Ragousis
Corporate Communications
Manager
Tel: 07815 374418
Email: Kimberley.Ragousis@bmwgroup.co.uk