The b-bug project was a winner of the Green Dragon’s Den competition at Hay Festival 2010. The £10k prize enabled us to commission Dragon Electric Vehicles to design and build 2 road legal, electric buggies – Boris and Blodwen for a trial this summer (2011) by visitors staying in the Brecon Beacons. The b-bugs have a top speed of 30 mph and a range of 20-25 miles.
A copy of the b-bug trial research report is now available: b-bug trial report
The b-bugs are effectively “rain-powered” using electricity generated from Talybont-on-Usk community hydro scheme – it could keep 150 b-bugs on the road purely powered by Welsh rain! If it rains on you today, that’s the energy you need to drive tomorrow!
As part of the trial, we built a network of 20 ‘b-bug friendly’ charge points – cafes, pubs, attractions & activity providers across the National Park. They welcomed and happily re-charged both b-bugs and visitors – making an enjoyable day’s outing.
Previous research showed that 50% visitors drive more than 300 miles during a week’s stay in the Brecon Beacons. They drive 14 miles on average to reach a walk or other activity and drive to the pub or shop even when it’s less than 1 mile away.
The b-bug trial explored whether visitors would enjoy using a b-bug instead of a car for getting around during their stay.
Over 30 different parties took part in the trial travelling 1500 b-bug miles – exploring the local area, visiting shops, pubs and cafes and hiring canoes and bikes. For example, one caravanning couple didn’t touch their car for 5 days. Most triallists loved the b-bugs and the fact they turned the journeys (short or long) into an enjoyable experience in their own right.
During September, local volunteers had the chance to try commuting to work in the b-bugs. 90% of work commutes in Wales are less than 25 miles which is within b-bug range.
The trial was run by a local research company, The Prospectory and the two trial b-bugs were designed and built by Dragon Electric Vehicles of Cwmdu.
The trial ended on October 1st 2011 and following publication of the trial report we are now in discussion with interested parties and stakeholders exploring what the future for b-bugs in the Brecon Beacons might be.
We were delighted that the b-bug project made the final Guardian Green Travel List 2011 – selected by judges as one of the 25 most innovative eco-tourism projects.
We would like to thank the b-bug friendly accomodation providers who partnered in the trial and promoted the b-bugs to their customers and the b-bug charge points for their welcome and help in getting Boris and Blodwen plugged in and re-charged.
You can continue to follow the project on Twitter Follow @b_b_bug
