The Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority have been awarded ‘Go Ultra-Low Company’, status thanks to the addition of an electric car to their fleet. The National Park Authority are proud to be among the first to receive the status which recognises green automotive credentials of top UK organisations including Transport for London and the Environment Agency. The newly launched initiative recognises businesses that are embracing electric vehicles (EVs) as part of a new scheme run by the government and automotive industry campaign, Go Ultra Low.
The BMW i3 joined the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority’s small fleet of leased pool cars earlier this year. The addition has already seen a reduction in the total overall CO2 average emission from the small fleet to well under the current benchmark of 100g/km of CO2, helped reducing the total emissions across the fleet.
The ‘plug-in’ car has a range of up to 100 miles, perfect for use within the National Park and surrounding area. Its distinctive graphics featuring photography of the Central Beacons was sponsored by BMW (one of the partners in the Go Ultra Low scheme). The cars shape lends itself perfectly to the distinctive and most recognisable landscape in the Bannau Brycheiniog with the profile of Pen y Fan, Corn Du and Cribyn.
Kevin Booker who manages the National Park Authority’s pool cars added; “Public and private sector organisations that already use electric cars or offer them to employees as company cars, are eligible for Go Ultra Low Company status, providing there’s a commitment for electric cars to make up 5% of their vehicle fleet by 2020. We are making a commitment to replacing more of the National Park fleet with electric cars over the next five years, with the next due in April 2017.”
Ian Rowat the National Park Authority’s Member Champion for Biodiversity and the Environment commented; “Here at the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority we are embracing the addition of a new electric vehicle. The National Park spans an area of 520sq miles over a variety of terrain. The nature of our work means that some travel by vehicle is inevitable and by using the electric car means we are reducing our CO2 emissions, making a real difference to the environment we help look after”.
Poppy Welch, Head of Go Ultra Low, said: “We want to encourage every organisation in the UK to follow the example set by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and offer their employees the chance to drive or own an electric vehicle. Not only can they promote cleaner motoring, but there are multiple short- and long-term financial benefits for companies and their employees to enjoy. Thanks to the variety of models available and their cost-saving potential, this is a realistic and rewarding option for organisations large and small.”
ENDS