RAW Charging to deliver electric vehicle charging across National Trust properties

Over the next three years, RAW will work with the National Trust to develop and install EV charging at suitable sites across the trust’s portfolio in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In a statement, RAW said: “Each location will be equipped with a number of charging bays, supporting visitors to make more sustainable journeys to National Trust places. The layout of the EV charging bays at all sites have been designed to improve accessibility for all drivers and passengers.”

RAW will invest up to £12m in the rollout as it continues to support the demand for destination charging.

The statement added: “Most chargers will be AC destination chargers allowing visitors to charge for half a day or more spent enjoying National Trust’s estates, houses and gardens. However, DC rapid charging hubs will be made available at a small number of National Trust places where the visit time is shorter than standard, or if the location is convenient for drivers to charge during a short break from longer journeys.”

“With an estimated 45 per cent of drivers needing to charge their EV’s away from home, EV charging is a valuable addition to National Trust places across the UK. Drivers will be able to charge their car while spending time at National Trust places, which include sites of historic interest together with many AONB (Areas of Outstanding Natualr Beauty) locations. RAW is working with the National Trust to make sure that the infrastructure is sensitive to its unique environment.”

RAW recently launched charging facilities at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet York, Crown Point Shopping Park in Leeds and has announced plans for a new ChargeYard in Oxford as part of a sponsorship with Oxford City Football Club.

Bruce Galliford, CEO, RAW Charging, said: “We’re looking forward to working with the National Trust to roll out EV charging across their places in the UK. This is one of the largest schemes we have worked on, and we are investing over £12 million in the sites as we continue to deliver reliable and affordable EV charging across the UK.”

Edward Wood, Head of Facilities Management at the National Trust, said: “We are committed to working for a healthier and more beautiful natural environment as the land and properties in our care face their biggest threat from climate change.

"Much of what we look after is rural and reducing the carbon footprint of everyone who travels to our places will be critical to us being able to achieve our climate goals, including to be carbon net-zero by 2030.”

In Yorkshire, the National Trust has responsibility for a number of famous sites, including Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal water garden and The Treasurer’s House in York.