ROAD TRIPPING WITH AN ELECTRIC CAR IS NOW EASIER THAN EVER

As families across the country increasingly flock to beauty spots like the Yorkshire Dales, the Peak District and the Lake District, data from Zapmap and BMW UK shows it's now easier than ever to travel there by electric vehicle (EV). Across the UK last year, more than 16,600 EV charge points were added, says Zapmap, a year-on-year increase of 45 per cent. There are now over 64,000 charge points available across more than 33,000 locations. EVs produce no driving emissions and less noise pollution, making them ideal holiday companions to help support the serenity of the green and pleasant countryside many of us will retreat to this summer. To further support tourists and locals in rural areas BMW has partnered with UK National Parks to install a total of 135 new EV charge points across all 15 of the UK's National Parks. To date, 78 new charge points have been installed across seven National Parks. Graham Biggs, Corporate Communications Director at BMW UK, said: “While the ever-growing number of EV charge points in the UK is encouraging, it's vital that the momentum is accelerated and that rural areas are not left behind in the EV transition. A spread of chargers across the UK and into the countryside ensures that people can visit natural beauty spots this summer in the quietest cars and without tailpipe emissions - helping protect these precious places from noise and pollution. We believe that nature should be protected and accessible for everyone and that's why we're so proud of the work we are doing with UK National Parks through The Recharge in Nature partnership.” Currently, 93 per cent of those visiting the National Parks travel there in their own car and while more public transport infrastructure is needed, Zapmap data shows popular routes to the National Parks are now well equipped with enroute EV charge points helping open up the Parks to staycationers travelling to the Parks, as well as those who live and work in them, in the quietest vehicles, that produce zero emissions while driving. • For example, looking at the number of high-powered charge points (ideal for enroute charging) within two miles of the main roads, between London and Yorkshire Dales National Park (261 miles) there are 91 charging locations, many of them with multiple charge points available. From Glasgow to Peak District (277 miles) there are 144, whilst between Bristol and the Lake District National Park (241 miles) there are over 180.