The Eco Travel Network’s fleet of low energy, electric Renault Twizy vehicles has been awarded the inaugural Green Transport Prize in a competition run by Edinburgh College and its partners.
The Network, which was initially aided with a grant from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund, received the award and £50,000 prize money for demonstrating the benefits of visitors hiring lightweight, green vehicles to use during their stay in the National Park. The Twizys can be powered using solar, hydro and wind energy, and can be charged at one of 40 Twizy-friendly pubs, cafes and attractions that make up a connected charging network of businesses across the National Park. A number of local businesses have become members of the Eco Travel Network in order to offer their own Twizys for visitors to hire and enjoy.
Alison Kidd, a Director of the Eco Travel Network, said: “We’re delighted that so many businesses in the National Park have signed up to become members of the Network or have installed charging points to help promote green visitor travel here in the Bannau Brycheiniog. Visitors travel an average of 300 miles during a one week stay here, and the Twizys are a zero carbon alternative to combat the CO2 impact of their travel during their stay.
“We’re elated to have received this award, and we plan to use the prize money to invest in the design of a more rugged rural version of the vehicle. The Network is also extremely grateful to Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund, who provided vital funding support in the project’s inception.”
Cllr Evan Morgan, Chairman of Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund, said: “We’re very proud that funding support from the Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund has helped get this scheme off the ground, it ticks all the boxes for us benefiting the local economy, environment and the community. It will be exciting to see how the Network develops in the future.”
If you have a project or event that you think could be eligible for funding support from Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund please contact Ceri Bevan or Helen Roderick on 01874 620471 or visit www.breconbeacons.org for further details.
For more information about the Eco Travel Network call 01874 665401 or 01497 842935, email mail@ecotravelnetwork.co.uk or visit www.ecotravelnetwork.co.uk.
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