RAW Charging, the Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Operator for the Leisure, Hospitality and Retail sectors is has announced a new exclusive partnership with Merlin Entertainments to install and operate electric vehicle (“EV”) charging at five of the UK’s top attractions including Alton Towers Resort, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort and Warwick Castle.
With an estimated 45% of drivers needing to charge their EVs away from home, EV charging is a valuable addition to Merlin Entertainments destinations across the UK. Drivers will be able to charge their car whilst spending time at the attractions, including some of the UK’s top Resort Theme Parks. Across the attractions, chargers will be installed in the car parks for visitors to use, as well as at onsite hotels at selected sites to give guests the opportunity to charge overnight.
As the UK gears up for the government ban of sales of new diesel and petrol cars in 2030, it is time for businesses to play a key role in delivering destination charging to help aid the transition to EVs. In 2022, the sale of EVs overtook diesel cars for the first time in the UK, with more EVs on the roads than ever before. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders are calling for more EV chargers to be installed and RAW is driving the change, installing chargers across sites in the UK including at Merlin Entertainments’ attractions. In 2023 so far, the UK will become more reliant on destination charging which is a convenient, affordable and reliable way for drivers to charge up whilst away from home.
Now, visitors to Merlin Entertainments attractions who arrive via EVs can arrive with an empty battery and leave fully charged, making the most of their visit. There are also plans for increased power supplies to Merlin Entertainments sites in the future, to support the deployment of more EV chargers. Having a large amount of EV chargers on offer to customers will help to decrease the concern of a charger being available at the site on arrival.
RAW has recently launched charging facilities at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet East Midlands, Crown Point Shopping Park in Leeds, RAW has also launched new ChargeYard facilities in Slough, Croydon and Bishop Auckland. RAW works with a variety of businesses looking to offer EV charging and looks to continue delivering destination charging across the UK and Europe.
Jason Simpson, CEO, RAW Charging, said: “RAW Charging is in the business of providing convenient and cost-effective charging to EV drivers visiting A-list destinations in the Leisure, Hospitality and Retail sectors. Merlin Entertainments’ portfolio of world class attractions is as A-list as it gets and we’re delighted to work together in partnership to energise guests’ visits and deliver on everyone’s sustainability goals.”
Dare Ilori, Group Sustainability Director at Merlin Entertainments, said: “Offering EV charging to our guests through our partnership with RAW Charging is exactly what we as an organisation should be doing to help make lower emission solutions accessible for the public. Sustainability sits at the heart of Merlin Entertainments and as we continually grow and expand our attractions, we know that reducing carbon emissions is the right thing to do to protect our planet. We’re making headway in reducing our annual worldwide carbon emissions and by taking steps like this in installing EV charging hubs across the UK, we are taking action to help pave the way for a greener future and adding to the experience for our guests each year.”
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