With sales of Electric Vehicles (EVs) outstripping petrol and diesel cars for the first time, a new multi-day EV trail has been unveiled to help people exploring the Lake District take the cleaner, greener option. 

The most sustainable way to travel to and around the parks is by public transport and under your own steam, by foot, or on a bike. If visitors do travel by car, they can help lower the carbon footprint of our national parks by choosing electric vehicles.
Cumbria Tourism has created the 74-mile route as part of the Low Carbon Lake District initiative, with support from the European Structural Investment Fund (ESIF) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Spilt into six bitesize stages - all do-able in a day – the trail includes some of the EV charging stations funded through the programme, along with plenty of itinerary ideas, so people staying overnight can enjoy great days out along the way. 
It guides EV drivers through the heart of the Lake District National Park, taking in Windermere, Ambleside, Grasmere, Keswick, Whinlatter Forest, the Honister Pass and Ullswater, before rounding off in the bustling market town of Penrith.  
Where else can you combine a visit to England’s only true mountain forest, explore the country’s last working slate mine or drop into Dalemain, home of the famous World Marmalade Awards? You can also retrace the steps of the old Keswick to Penrith railway, walking through original Victorian railway bridges and tunnels on the scenic route.
Gemma Procter, sustainable travel officer at Cumbria Tourism, says, “Exploring by EV is a great low-carbon alternative and this new multi-day tour takes you through the heart of the Lakes and onto a few farther flung stops, with some great opportunities to get out and stretch your legs in some of the most scenic locations you’re likely to find anywhere.
“Our network of public charge points is growing steadily and many accommodation providers offer overnight charging, which takes a lot of the anxiety out of exploring. Plus, staying longer helps reduce the carbon footprint of visitor travel to and from this world-class destination, minimising your impact on the fabric of the landscape even more.”
The creation of an EV trail follows news earlier this Spring that 900 new EV charge points will soon be installed across Cumbria, after a partnership made up of public and private sector representatives was successful in securing £1.4million funding from the Department for Transport’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure pilot.
Meanwhile, the Lake District National Park already has four new BMW charge points live at Waterhead, Coniston, Hawkshead and Ravenglass.
Find out more about the new EV trail at www.visitlakedistrict.com/recharge. Also see an interactive map of EV charging points and if you prefer two wheels, take a look at our list of local electric bike charging points.