THERE’S a drive to get visitors to the Brecon Beacons National Park totally switched on.

And that could soon be achieved as this famous tourist spot on the Wales-Herefordshire border has become the first in the UK to offer a fleet of electric vehicles for the use of visitors.

As part of the Eco Travel Network, the Brecon Beacons is now offering visitors and locals alike the opportunity to drive around this spectacular region behind the wheel of six new Renault Twizys.

Each of these vehicles can reach 50 miles an hour and can travel up to around 50 miles between charges, so visitors will be able to travel far and wide, from Hay-on-Wye to Llanthony Abbey, along some of Wales' most scenic driving routes even if they haven't taken their own car along.

Anyone heading there now could be among the very first to come and explore the Brecon Beacons National Park in an innovative low-energy vehicle powered solely by the Welsh sun, wind and rain!

A handful of hotels and self-catering accommodations have teamed up with the Eco Travel Network, meaning visitors will be able to rent a Twizy before arriving and start exploring right from their doorstep.

From Brecon Beacons Holiday Cottages and the Angel Hotel in Abergavenny, to Old Radnor Barn in Talgarth, these holiday accommodations are helping make it that much easier to experience everything that makes the Brecon Beacons such a special place to visit without impacting on the landscape.

Visitors can even expect special itineraries based on the very best things to do and see while renting one, while Llansantffread Court, near Abergavenny, are even offering their Twizy to guests free of charge!

As part of the initiative, over 20 informal charge points for electric vehicles have been set up in pubs, cafés and visitor attractions throughout the national park, so the opportunity is there to charge up even while enjoying a family day out, or tucking into local Welsh produce.

This all makes the Brecon Beacons an ideal destination for couples looking to holiday without a car. Having caught the train to Abergavenny you can head on over to the Angel hotel, or perhaps book into a cosy one bedroom cottage, safe in the knowledge that you'll be able to rent a Twizy and explore far and wide without having an impact on the local environment.

The Eco Travel Network was made possible thanks to funding from the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund. This Fund encourages national park communities and individuals to develop practical sustainable solutions to make differences in the areas of climate change mitigation and decreasing carbon footprints.