As well as re-charging your batteries with a meal in the Rhug Bistro this Easter did you know you could re-charge your car’s battery at the same time at one of the two charging points for electric cars in the main car park.
In keeping with the Rhug Estate’s sustainable living ethos, Lord Newborough, the owner of the Estate, has had two charging points for electric cars installed in the Farm Shop, Bistro and Takeaway carpark. Customers can use the 7KW POD point EV charger, which is able to charge two cars at once.
Britain is to ban all new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2040. The government warned that the move, which will also take in hybrid vehicles, was needed because of the unnecessary and avoidable impact that poor air quality was having on people’s health. Ministers believe it poses the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK, costing up to £2.7bn in lost productivity in one recent year.
Lord Newborough said, “The Rhug Estate is all about sustainable farming and the generation of green energy. We actually generate the electricity for the car charge points through the solar panels which are in the field behind the Farm Shop when the weather is favourable.
“Green energy and carbon saving are something I am passionate about at the Rhug where our core business is organic farming. We have tried wherever possible to embrace what natural resources we have on this highly sustainable Estate. Our green energy comes from wind, geothermal, hydro and solar energy which brings in enormous carbon savings.”
Visitors with electric cars that want to use the charge points need to download the mobile phone app called ‘POD Point Open Charge’. The app can be downloaded using the free wi-fi that is available on site. The charge points can be used 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
The Rhug Estate generates 200kW of solar power in the field behind the Farm Shop. 150kW of this supplies the Farm Shop including the car charger. 50kW supplies the Estate and Sales Office, the excess goes to the grid.
Philip Hughes, Rhug Estate Manager said, “We are delighted to see battery technology both advancing in its efficiency and capability as well as coming down in purchase and installation price. Whilst it is not yet economic on a domestic scale it is now almost economic on a commercial footing especially when we can recharge batteries with our day time Solar PV generation to utilise overnight to help us operate at a low financial and environmental/carbon cost to our business.”
The Rhug Farm Shop and Bistro will be open for extended hours during the Easter weekend. Opening hours information, menus and the Rhug online shop are available on the website.
Solar Panels behind the Farm Shop and Bistro
Organic Beef