Free EV charging at much-loved UK attraction from August 24 to 28
Electric vehicle owners in Surrey can charge up at no cost next week as RHS Garden Wisley marks the launch of its new flagship charging hub. The state-of-the-art facility, unveiled in partnership with RAW Charging, is now operational and will provide complimentary EV charging from Monday, August 24, to Friday, August 28.
The scheme has been designed "to reward environmentally conscious drivers and make it easier for local members and day-trippers to top up while enjoying one of the UK's most iconic gardens". As one of the largest destination EV charging hubs in the Guildford and Wisley area, the site boasts 32 dedicated bays.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
This comprises 24 fast-charging bays (up to 22kW), which are perfectly suited to visitors spending several hours exploring the garden, and eight rapid-charging bays (up to 50kW) for those seeking a swifter battery boost. Situated just off Junction 10 of the M25, the hub represents a considerable enhancement to local public charging provision, RAW said.
The installation, delivering 90 charging bays across the five UK RHS gardens, marks a pivotal milestone in the RHS's ambition to become "climate positive" by 2030.
Malcolm Anderson, head of sustainability at the RHS, said: "RHS Garden Wisley is one of the UK's most visited and best-loved gardens. This major new charging facility reflects our commitment to making sustainable travel easier and more accessible for visitors.
"Alongside the new EV chargers on site, we are continuing to improve active travel and public transport access to Wisley by enhancing public rights of way and local bus services in partnership with Surrey County Council and public transport operators. These improvements not only support lower-carbon travel but also enhance the experience for today's environmentally conscious visitors."
The charging points, operated by RAW Charging, are built for straightforward use. While they normally accept contactless payment, the complimentary charging promotion is available solely through the RAW Rewards programme to ensure local motorists can benefit from the launch celebration.
Jason Simpson, CEO of RAW Charging, said: "RHS Garden Wisley is a perfect example of the kind of amazing destinations we're proud to connect with best-in-class EV infrastructure. This new flagship installation represents one of the largest destination charging hubs in the region, delivering the reliability and convenience visitors expect – all in support of the RHS's sustainability goals."
The recent installation forms part of RAW Charging's Connecting Amazing Places campaign, which sees the company fitting charging points across a variety of locations, including those run by the RHS, the National Trust and Merlin Entertainments, such as Alton Towers and Chessington World of Adventures. The purpose of the installations is to make it simpler for local residents and visitors to travel in a more sustainable manner – while also supporting the RHS on its path towards becoming climate positive by 2030.
To take advantage of free charging during the launch week, customers must register for RAW Rewards at rawcharging.com/rewards.
Free charging is accessed via the ChargePoint App and is not available via contactless payment.