New electric vehicle charging points launched in Yorkshire’s National Parks
New electric vehicle charger-points have been installed across Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors National Parks to support zero emission car journeys whilst driving.
They are funded by BMW UK as part of its Recharge in Nature partnership with National Parks UK
Through this partnership, BMW UK is also supporting North York Moors National Park to develop outdoor volunteering programmes for families and young adults
Twelve of the new EV charge-points have been installed in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, at the Malham National Park Visitor Centre; the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes; and Grassington National Park Visitor Centre.
Meanwhile in the North York Moors, six chargers can be found at Sutton Bank National Park Centre, with an additional six chargers set to be installed at Danby Lodge National Park Centre.
The UK has nearly 54,000 public charging points but one third of these are currently in London. [2] With 93 million visits [3] to the UK’s National Parks made by car each year, this enhancement of the network throughout National Parks, supported by BMW, means more travel options for those choosing to drive.
Alongside the installation of EV chargers throughout all National Parks, the Recharge in Nature partnership is also supporting community impact and nature restoration projects unique to the individual National Parks. The North York Moors National Park is using BMW funding to support outdoor volunteering programmes for families and young adults.
The goal is to boost the physical and mental wellbeing of those volunteering and establish a community of committed conservationists. An important aspect of this is also ensuring young people have a say in the National Park’s decision-making processes.
Heather McNiff, Head of Outdoor Learning and Engagement at the North York Moors National Park, said: “Historically we have lots of very young volunteers, as well as people aged over 40, but we’ve struggled to engage individuals that fall between those age brackets.
” Thanks to BMW UK’s funding we’re able to support ‘Youth Plus’, which provides more opportunities for those aged 16 and over to engage with volunteering in the National Park. We’re passionate that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and so BMW’s funding also supports young people from disadvantaged backgrounds or those with additional accessibility requirements to access the National Park and its volunteering programmes.”