On 14 August 2025, Ms Edwards met campaign representatives and local stakeholders at the historic Tamworth Castle to sign the Bon VoyCharge campaign car, which is touring MP constituencies and landmark UK sites this summer ahead of the Labour Party Conference this autumn.
Tamworth Castle, a heritage icon standing for over 900 years, is central to the town’s identity and a major driver of the local visitor economy. Ms Edwards has been a leading advocate for securing investment in the site, helping bring millions of pounds in funding earlier this year to support its preservation, tourism offer, and community programmes.
The Bon VoyCharge campaign – led by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) and supported by partners across the vehicle rental, EV charging, tourism, and hospitality industries – is pushing for more “destination charging”: chargepoints at places people visit and stay, such as castles, theme parks, hotels, and holiday resorts. These locations are often overlooked in the UK’s charging rollout, yet they play a vital role in boosting EV adoption and supporting regional economies.
The national context underscores the need: in 2024, the UK welcomed 41.2 million international visitors and hosted 106 million overnight stays by British residents. Tourism contributes over £30 billion annually to the economy, yet only around 7,500 EV chargepoints exist at tourism-related locations – signalling a major opportunity for growth.
“Tamworth Castle is a world-class heritage site that attracts visitors from far and wide” said Sarah Edwards, MP for Tamworth. “If we’re serious about making EVs a practical option for everyone, charging points at key destinations like this are essential. They give people the confidence to explore our towns and cities in an electric vehicle, knowing they can recharge while enjoying all we have to offer. By enabling EV drivers to recharge at our local treasures, we not only reduce emissions, we also encourage tourism, boost local spending, and future-proof our attractions.”
Key objectives of the initiative include:
Shine a spotlight on the need to plan and install destination chargers at tourist destinations like Tamworth Castle, to attract visitors, encourage them to stay longer and explore the UK more sustainably.
Publishing practical guides and best-practice frameworks to help other historic sites, accommodations, and attractions implement EV infrastructure.
Building cross-sector collaboration, uniting councils, tourism bodies, heritage organisations, and EV infrastructure providers to replicate Tamworth’s model across Staffordshire and beyond, celebrating best practice
“We’re grateful to Sarah Edwards MP for her longstanding engagement on EVs and for recognising the importance of charging at destinations like Tamworth Castle” added Tom McLennan, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the BVRLA. “Local leadership is key to closing the gaps in our national charging network. Destination charging isn’t just about convenience – it’s about unlocking the economic, environmental, and tourism benefits that come with a confident, connected EV network. We look forward to working with Sarah and other MPs to make this vision a reality.”
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