Abergynolwyn is one of just two villages in Gwynedd getting the chance to try out a community electric vehicle thanks to a scheme set up to improve transport in rural areas.
Village energy club EGNI Abergynolwyn Energy, responded to an open call from Arloesi Gwynedd Wledig asking what people would do with an electric car in their community. Several open meetings were held, with questions posed on charts on which villagers wrote ideas on post it notes.
The response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic with people discussing the limited public transport available in the village, the possibility of volunteer drivers and the positive social aspects of community car sharing as well as welcoming the chance to reduce carbon emissions and embracing the opportunity to try out a clean energy vehicle.
The EV (electric vehicle) is a white Nissan Leaf and can travel around 150 miles on a fully charged battery. A competition to name it and the other vehicle which is going to Bethesda for a similar scheme resulted in the names Carwyn and Carwen being chosen.
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A charging point has been installed at the Canolfan, which will be available for use by anyone with an electric vehicle.
“If EV owners know there is a charging point here,” said project coordinator Steve Beech, “it will encourage people to stop in Abergynolwyn, maybe use the café or the pub, go for a walk or a ride on the Talyllyn Railway while their vehicle charges.”
The car sharing scheme is run by Co-Wheels, an independently owned car club providing low emission, hybrid and electric cars on a pay-as-you-go basis for organisations and communities across the UK. Registration is simple and everything is done online. Once signed up you have access to the over 60 Co Wheels car sharing schemes across the UK.
A launch day is to be held at Y Ganolfan, Abergynolwyn this Sunday from 12pm-4pm when people will be given the opportunity to go for a ride in the car and chat to EV experts. There will be free refreshments and an opportunity to find out more about the car club.
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