Article
500-mile EV Rally Cymru ends at Neath Port Talbot’s award-winning Bay Technology Centre
20 November 2024
THE EV Rally Cymru 2024, a two-day 500-mile event designed to showcase the power and potential of electric vehicles reached its climax at the Baglan Energy Park’s award-winning Bay Technology Centre on Thursday, November 14th.
Part funded by the Welsh Government and Climate Action Wales, the event began in Cardiff on Wednesday, November 13th and ended at the Bay Technology Centre where Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economic Growth, Cllr Jeremy Hurley, greeted those passing the finishing line.
Cllr Hurley said: “Going ahead in Wales Climate Week (November 11th-15th ) the rally has been a demonstration of Wales’s growing charging infrastructure and highlights how electric bikes, cars and commercial vehicles (vans and trucks) can reshape the DNA of fleet operations, both large and small.
“As part of its Decarbonisation and Renewable Energy (DARE) strategy, Neath Port Talbot Council now has a growing fleet of green vehicles with the rally showcasing many of these.”
Climate Action Wales was set up by the Welsh Government in 2023 as a national public engagement and communications programme designed to support and encourage everyone in Wales to play a part in reaching Net Zero.
The energy positive Bay Technology Centre which hosted the rally’s finishing line has won awards including the Commercial Property Project of the Year award at the prestigious British Construction Industry (BCI) Awards, the Net Zero Award in the Constructing Excellence Wales (CEW) Awards and the Sustainability Award in the Insider Wales Property Awards.
The 25,000 sq ft centre, officially opened in June 2023, now has a number of tenant businesses. The centre hosts office and laboratory space for start-up companies, indigenous businesses and inward investors looking for a base to set up and grow their operations – helping support innovation, diversification, and the growth of the regional economy.
The £8.5m project was awarded £3.75m in European Regional Development Fund grant aid, alongside £3m from the Swansea Bay City Deal and £500,000 from the Welsh Government’s Economic Stimulus Fund. Neath Port Talbot Council committed £1.25m.
Businesses interested in setting up at the award winning facilities can contact the Economic Development Team on 01639 686835 or email business@npt.gov.uk. The centre has a focus on innovation from a range of industry sectors including energy, digital, life sciences and similar innovative business activities.