BMW pours £1 million into installing electric vehicle charging stations at UK National Parks
BMW's "Recharge in Nature" project, initiated in 2022, has seen considerable advancements in its partnership with UK National Parks. The project, aimed at investing in biodiversity and community projects, has allocated £1 million to fund the installation of 135 new electric vehicle (EV) charging points across all fifteen UK National Parks[1][3][5].
As of July 2025, eight National Parks have operational chargers, including the Lake District, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, Dartmoor, New Forest, and Bannau Brycheiniog, with the remainder expected to complete installations by November 2025[1][3]. Strategically placed to cater to both local communities and visitors, these charging points have been installed in high-traffic or infrastructure-poor areas[1].
In addition to expanding EV infrastructure, the partnership supports critical ecological projects. For instance, in Eryri National Park, initiatives at Llyn Tegid lake include pollution protection, natural flood management through dew ponds and dams, and the planting of over 20,000 trees to support local wildlife such as the rare glutinous snail[1].
The Lake District has benefitted from the partnership with 81 new charge points installed, supporting increased EV accessibility while promoting biodiversity and sustainable farming[2]. The project's ultimate goal is to create a lasting environmental legacy that supports the health of National Parks and their communities through combined investment in EV infrastructure and nature restoration[1][2][4].
The project's expansion is not limited to land-based vehicles, as the Broads National Park in Norfolk will soon feature both electric boat charging and car chargers[6]. Furthermore, the project is extending to the Northumberland and South Downs National Parks, ensuring that more areas can benefit from this initiative[7].
[1] BMW UK Press Office (2022). BMW UK Partners with UK National Parks to Install Electric Vehicle Chargers at Picturesque Locations. [Online] Available at: https://www.press.bmwgroup.co.uk/uk-en/press-releases/bmw-uk-partners-with-uk-national-parks-to-install-electric-vehicle-chargers-at-picturesque-locations
[2] National Trust (2022). National Trust and BMW UK Partner to Boost EV Charging in National Parks. [Online] Available at: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/national-trust-and-bmw-uk-partner-to-boost-ev-charging-in-national-parks
[3] Department for Transport (2022). Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in National Parks. [Online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/electric-vehicle-charging-infrastructure-in-national-parks
[4] The Guardian (2022). BMW Invests £1m in Electric Vehicle Charging Points in UK National Parks. [Online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jun/28/bmw-invests-1m-in-electric-vehicle-charging-points-in-uk-national-parks
[5] The Telegraph (2022). BMW Announces £1m Investment in Electric Vehicle Charging Points in UK National Parks. [Online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/news/bmw-announces-1m-investment-in-electric-vehicle-charging-points-in-uk-national-parks/
[6] The Broads Authority (2022). Broads Authority Secures Funding for Electric Vehicle Charging Points. [Online] Available at: https://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/about-us/news-and-events/broads-authority-secures-funding-for-electric-vehicle-charging-points
[7] BBC News (2022). Northumberland National Park to Get Electric Vehicle Chargers. [Online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-56005946
- The strategic placement of electric vehicle (EV) charging points in high-traffic locations across the fifteen UK National Parks is part of BMW's partnership with National Parks, aiming to support both local communities and visitors.
- The Recharge in Nature project, which began in 2022, has allocated £1 million to fund 135 new EV charging points, with only eight operational as of July 2025, and the remaining installations planned for completion by November 2025.
- The Lake District has already benefited from the project with 81 new charge points installed, promoting both increased EV accessibility and biodiversity through sustainable farming practices.
- Additionally, the partnership has supported significant ecological initiatives, such as the protection of Llyn Tegid lake in Eryri National Park, which includes various efforts to preserve the rare glutinous snail's habitat.
- The project has also extended beyond land-based vehicles, with the Broads National Park in Norfolk planning to feature both electric boat charging and car chargers, while Northumberland and South Downs National Parks will soon join the initiative as well.
