Both Morlais and Holyhead Hydrogen Hub are ambitious energy projects, but this does not mean that we are not also working on a smaller scale within our communities.

One example is Carwyn and Carwen, the Gwynedd community electrical car scheme. With clear benefits for the climate the cars also showed residents the potential of electric vehicles (EVs) and introduced people to a different kind of fuel.

A two-year project under the Arloesi Gwynedd Wledig banner, the cars were located in Penygroes and Llanaelhaearn and were available for hire for as little as £3 an hour. The aim was to pilot a car sharing system to help people who are isolated or who do not have their own car. And, with a team of volunteer drivers the cars were also available for those who couldn’t drive too.

The scheme promoted more sustainable modes of travel. EVs are recognised as being much more efficient than petrol or diesel cars, and can be powered by low carbon renewable energy. By giving people the chance to try an EV, the project wanted to prove to residents that it was a viable alternative to diesel or petrol vehicles.

The cars were very popular and take up was good. During the pandemic the vehicles were used by volunteers to take people to medical appointments, to do their shopping and deliver essential medical supplies to vulnerable residents in Gwynedd.