Scottish EV off roader takes on new Welsh terrain home

A Scottish born UK first off road electric vehicle has met its new home in the Welsh hills.

Morag the Munro has been up and down the tracks around Moel Famau to familiarise with the Clwydian Range and allow countryside rangers the chance to get to know her through training.

The Munro Series-M M280 electric pick-up was funded by the Welsh Government's Energy Service and replaces an end-of-life fossil fuelled pickup. The first of its kind to be used by a local authority anywhere in the UK, the Munro will be used by the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscapes rangers to help with daily duties on the hills and will be based at Loggerheads County Park.

Nicknamed Morag for its similar rugged nature to its Highland cattle counterparts, the Munro was chosen for its ability to tackle the terrain of the Clwydians and other hilly sites, having been thoroughly tested back home in Scotland on all types of off-road situations and being able to handle gradients above 40 degrees.

Training has taken place for the rangers who will use Morag on the Clwydians, facilitated by Denbighshire County Council’s Fleet department and joined by representatives from Munro who accompanied Morag in a similar vehicle.

The training took place on and around the Offas Dyke Path which will be regular routes the Munro will take to support the rangers.

The introduction of the Munro is part of Denbighshire County Council's ongoing effort to reduce fleet carbon emissions, improve air quality, and lower long-term maintenance and service costs by replacing end-of-life vehicles with proven electric vehicle equivalents.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said:

"It’s great to see this innovative addition finally out and about where it belongs and where it will work. Fleet have worked hard to make Morag ready for supporting the countryside and I’m grateful to them and Munro for supporting the all-important training of the rangers who will use the vehicle.”