New Electric Vehicle Charge-points live at Bannau Brycheiniog National Park

• The installation of 16 new electric vehicle (EV) charge-points at Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, previously known as Brecon Beacons National Park, means visitors can confidently travel by EV
• The new EV chargers are funded by BMW UK as part of its Recharge in Nature partnership with UK National Parks
• Kevin Booker, holder of four Guinness World Records for efficient EV driving and optimised charging, led the EV installation project at Bannau Brycheiniog National Park as part of his role working for the National Park

Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park is paving the way for increasingly sustainable travel in Wales’ countryside, with the installation of 16 new electric vehicle (EV) charge-points - funded by BMW UK through its   Recharge in Nature partnership with UK National Parks. In addition to enhancing the UK’s EV charging infrastructure, the partnership also sees the two organisations collaborate on nature restoration and community impact projects.

The new charge-points, which are now live, are split evenly between Bannau Brycheiniog National Park’s Visitor Centre in Libanus and Craig-y-Nos Country Park. The installation means EV drivers can now top up their batteries while enjoying the mountains, rivers, dark skies and wildlife of this beautiful National Park. 

This latest installation of charge-points is the most recent milestone for the Recharge in Nature project - an initiative funded by BMW UK and facilitated by National Parks Partnerships acting on behalf of UK National Parks, to make EV chargers available across all 15 of the UK’s National Parks. The extra charging capacity supports the use of EVs by those who live and work in the National Parks, improving access for the lowest emitting drives and quietest vehicles on the road. The new charge points in Bannau Brycheiniog come just one month after both of Yorkshire’s National Parks were able to install 18 new charge-points, thanks to the Recharge in Nature partnership.

Kevin Booker, IT Systems and Fleet Manager at Bannau Brycheiniog National Park said: “Over 4 million people ^[1] visit Bannau Brycheiniog National Park each year, and we know around 93 per cent of visits to UK National Parks are done so by car. It’s our responsibility to ensure the conservation of our beautiful Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and so we’re delighted to be able support zero emission car journeys while driving here.”

In addition to managing the EV installation project at Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, Kevin Booker is among the most successful ‘hypermilers’ in the UK. Hypermilers are individuals who exceed a vehicle’s efficiency, as declared by its manufacturer, through adjusting driving techniques. Booker has earned four Guinness World Record titles for his ability to optimise the range and charge of electric vehicles.

Graham Biggs, Corporate Communications Director, BMW UK, added: “We’re so pleased to see this latest expansion of the EV charging network go live as part of our Recharge in Nature partnership. This means EV drivers can explore this outstanding National Park with greater confidence and with no driving emissions. We hope this new infrastructure will support visitors, as well as those living and working at Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.”

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 average 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 chain, by 2050 at the latest. By doing so, the company is also part of the Race to Zero.

Catherine Mealing-Jones, CEO of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and National Parks Partnerships Board Member, commented: “The Recharge in Nature project is a great example of how partnerships with businesses can help National Parks go further faster in meeting their sustainability ambitions. We’re so pleased at what has been achieved so far at Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and look forward to seeing what the other UK National Parks will continue to accomplish with BMW’s support.”

For more information about BMW Group UK and the Recharge in Nature partnership visit bmw.co.uk/nationalparks.

^[1] https://bannau.wales/communities/tourism/


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 2023, the BMW Group sold over 2.55 million passenger vehicles and more than 209,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2023 was € 17.1 billion on revenues amounting to € 155.5 billion. As of 31 December 2023, the BMW Group had a workforce of 154,950 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

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@bmwgroup.co.uk

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