Concerned about the environment when on holiday? There’s a new fleet of electric cars in the Lake District offering eco-friendly car hire.
The ‘pay as you drive’ vehicles are available to rent by the hour from six key locations across the South and Central Lakes.
The introduction of the new vehicles follows the successful launch of three electric cars at Langdale and Windermere last year – part of the £6.9million GoLakes Travel programme, which aims to cut carbon emissions.
The locations are:
- Ambleside, University of Cumbria car park (VW Up!)
- Coniston Boating Centre (VW Up!) and Coniston village (Renault Twizy)
- Hawkshead, central car park (VW Up!)
- Langdale Hotel & Spa (Renault Twizys)
- Staveley (Renault Kangoo eVan and Peugeot 307)
- Windermere Railway Station (Mini Clubman)
Alistair Kirkbride, Sustainable Transport Adviser for the GoLakes Travel Programme, said, “Both the electric cars and our very low emission vehicles are really handy for anyone who wants to explore the parts of the central Lake District beyond the reach of buses and boats. It also means that visitors can now seriously consider leaving their car at home, and residents can save money by getting rid of rarely used second cars. It’s easy to sign up, and it really is then turn up and go, and pay only for what you use.”
To hire a Twizy, drivers should contact the Coniston Boating Centre or Langdale Hotel and Spa to book, then arrive on the day with a UK driving licence. There are currently free electric car charging points in Grasmere, Ambleside and Langdale. Twizy drivers can also revel in heading over to Eskdale or Glenridding where there are more charge points. 12 further ‘pay as you go’ charge points are being installed in the coming weeks.
People can hire the other low emission vehicles by signing up with Co-Wheels online a few days before their visit. They’ll then receive a smart card which gives them access to their chosen cars.
For more information, visit: www.golakes.co.uk/travel/by-Car.aspx or www.co-wheels.org.uk/go-lakes-travel
