Published at 15:52, Tuesday, 07 August 2012

A LEADING Lake District hotel has become one of the first in the UK to hire electric cars to its guests.

FOR HIRE: Renault Twizy

The Langdale Hotel and Spa recently became the first location in the Lake District National Park to install free-to-use electric car charging points.

And since last week guests have been able to hit the road in one of the hotel’s two new Renault Twizys.

With a top speed of 50mph, the 100 per cent electric cars can travel up to 62 miles after a single charge.

The two-seater has been praised for its easy handling, safety features and ergonomics and last month won the prestigious Red Dot Award for product design – chosen by a panel of international design experts. Dan Visser, director at the Langdale Hotel and Spa in the Langdale Valley, said: “Our electric cars are a fantastic green transport alternative and offer a really unusual and fun way to explore the spectacular Lakeland landscape.

“There’s already been a lot of excitement about their arrival and we believe it’s right to invest in truly sustainable alternatives which not only make our guests’ visits more enjoyable and relaxing, but genuinely benefit the outstanding natural environment surrounding the hotel in the longer term.”

The cars are available to hire for three-hour slots and cost £29 each. All people require is a valid driving licence. Visitors to the Langdale Valley can then make use of a growing electric car charging network in several other nearby locations, such as Bowness Tourist Information Centre, Ullswater Steamers and Ravenglass and Eskdale Steam Railway.

Hotel bosses say green thinking is central to their environmental policy and has previously inspired several significant energy-saving devices on-site, including a biomass carbon-neutral energy system, the installation of solar panels and a UV system for its pool disinfectant.

The electric cars have been supported through the Go Lakes Travel programme – a £6.9m scheme funded by the Department of Transport and delivered in partnership with Cumbria County Council, the Lake District National Park Authority and Cumbria Tourism.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk