RHS Garden Harlow Carr Launches 16 New Free Electric Vehicle Charging Bays

RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Harrogate has unveiled 16 new electric vehicle (EV) charging bays, providing a convenient option for visitors to charge their cars for free during its launch week from Tuesday 2nd June to Thursday 4th June. This initiative is part of the garden's commitment to sustainable travel and enhancing the visitor experience.

New Charging Facility

The new charging bays, delivered in partnership with RAW Charging, include four rapid charging bays and twelve fast charging bays. The rapid bays can provide up to 50kW of power, allowing drivers to quickly recharge their vehicles, while the fast bays offer up to 22kW for those who want to spend more time enjoying the gardens. The location of these chargers is ideal, enabling visitors to explore over 60 acres of beautiful gardens while their vehicles are charging.

Free Charging Offer

During the inaugural week, visitors can take advantage of the free charging offer by signing up for the RAW Rewards programme, which is free to join. This special promotion allows guests to enjoy the gardens without worrying about their vehicle's battery life. After the launch week, the charging units will accept standard contactless payments for future visits.

Supporting Sustainable Travel

This new facility is part of a broader effort by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to install a total of 90 charging bays across its five gardens in the UK. The RHS aims to become climate positive by 2030, meaning it wants to take more carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere than it produces. Malcolm Anderson, Head of Sustainability at the RHS, expressed the importance of this initiative, stating:

“RHS Garden Harlow Carr is a vital part of our garden network, and this major new charging facility exemplifies our ambitions to make sustainable travel easier and more accessible for our visitors in the north and across the UK.”

Local Impact

Harrogate is becoming a recognised hub for electric vehicle use in the North of England, and the addition of these charging bays is expected to enhance local infrastructure. Jason Simpson, CEO of RAW Charging, highlighted the significance of this project, saying,

“RHS Garden Harlow Carr is another fantastic example of an amazing place we’ve connected with best-in-class EV infrastructure. This new installation delivers the reliability and convenience EV drivers expect, ensuring that a visit to these historic gardens and a stop at Bettys, a Yorkshire institution, is as seamless as it is sustainable.”

How to Access the Charging Bays

Visitors wishing to utilise the free charging service must sign up for RAW Rewards at rawcharging.com/rewards and use the ChargePoint App to start their charging session. This straightforward process makes it easy for anyone with an electric vehicle to enjoy a day at the gardens without the hassle of worrying about their car's battery running low.