Peak District National Park Announces New Electric Vehicle Chargers to Help Drive Lower Emission Journeys

• The new EV chargers, located in some of the busiest sites across the National Park, will support zero emission journeys, while driving, for both tourists and the local community
• 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 funding the Peak District National Park’s ‘Peaks of Health’ initiative, from Spring 2024, which will support community-based health and wellbeing organisations to make the National Park a more accessible space to walk, cycle and enjoy

The Peak District National Park is charging forward enhancing its accessibility to electric vehicles (EVs), with today marking the completion of the installation of five new twin charging points, funded by BMW UK through its Recharge in Nature partnership with National Parks UK.

The new EV chargers are located at Millers Dale Station, Parsley Hay Bike Hire Centre & Car Park and the Moorland Visitor Centre at Edale. Millers Dale Station and Parsley Hay chargers will be available to the public, and those at Edale will serve guests of the Fieldhead Campsite at the Moorland Visitor Centre.

These are some of the busiest locations in the National Park, increasing the availability of EV charging options for both local communities and visitors. Each EV charging point can charge two cars simultaneously meaning that more EV drivers can travel with confidence to appreciate the Peak District’s picturesque views.

The Peak District’s ‘Peaks of Health’ project is also being supported by BMW UK from Spring 2024, enabling community-based health and wellbeing organisations to make the National Park a more accessible space to walk, cycle and enjoy. Its aim is to help combat barriers that prevent people from accessing the countryside around them, due to lack of transport, social isolation, a loss of confidence, older age, or physical and mental health challenges.

The installation of these new chargers is another step towards increasing the EV charging infrastructure throughout the UK’s National Parks - one of the goals of the Recharge in Nature partnership. To date, 36 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 BMW 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.

Emily Fox, interim head of resources for the Peak District National Park Authority, said: “Being so close to the cities of Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham and Derby, the Peak District National Park is the most accessible of the UK’s National Parks ^[3] and we’re so pleased to be able to take this further through the Recharge in Nature partnership with BMW UK. The new EV chargers mean those who live and work in the Peak District, as well as the 13 million visitors we welcome every year, have lower emission travel options, helping protect our National Park now and for future generations. BMW UK’s support for ‘Peaks of Health’ also means we can increase its impact in making the Peak District accessible for everyone.”

Graham Biggs, Corporate Communications Director, BMW UK, commented: “The installation of these new EV chargers in the Peak District means visitors and those living or working in the National Park can now use their electric cars with greater confidence. By increasing the EV charging capacity of the area, it’s helping to reduce emissions and noise pollution in this beautiful landscape.”

Lisa Sensier, Senior Development Manager at National Parks Partnerships, said: “We're so pleased to see another National Park benefitting from our partnership with BMW. The Recharge in Nature project is set to have such a huge impact, enhancing EV infrastructure as the National Parks work towards net zero, and accelerating our ambitions to restore nature and enhance the wellbeing of visitors to the National Parks. Partnerships like this help us go further faster and we can’t wait to see the fruits of our collaboration over the next few years.”

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.

^[1] STEAM tourism data, 2019
^[2] Aggregated National Parks data, 2018
^[3] https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/learning-about/news/70-years-of-the-peak-district-national-park/peak-district-facts

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.

www.bmwgroup.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
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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

National Parks Partnerships (NPP) 
Working across all 15 National Parks in the UK (Peak District, Lake District, Eryri, Dartmoor, Pembrokeshire Coast, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, Exmoor, Northumberland, Bannau Brycheiniog, The Broads, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, Cairngorms, New Forest, South Downs), National Parks Partnerships (NPP) creates purpose-driven partnerships with the private sector and funders to help protect and improve National Parks for people, nature and climate. Since its inception in 2016, NPP has developed partnerships with some of the world’s biggest brands to support the UK’s National Parks including BMW UK, Santander UK and Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland. Working with global impact firm Palladium, NPP launched Revere: Investing in Nature to deploy green finance at an unprecedented scale in National Parks and has an in-house Nature-Based Solutions team that supports National Parks to do more for nature. Find out more at: nationalparks.uk/national-parks-partnerships or follow "National Parks Partnerships" on LinkedIn.

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For further information please contact:

Kimberley Ragousis
Corporate Communications Manager
Tel: 07815 374418
Email: Kimberley.Ragousis@bmw.co.uk

Forster Communications: Olivia Martins, Nicole Sigrist and Joel Del Gesso
via bmw@forster.co.uk or calling 07710 986 406.