Skoda renames Peak District after electric SUV

By Ashley Morgan 21/07/2026 3 min read 9 views

Skoda is marking the debut of its new seven‑seat electric SUV by temporarily renaming the Peak District National Park as the “Peaq District” from July 27 to August 2, 2026.

Rebranding the park for a summer launch

During the week‑long campaign, signage bearing the name Peaq District will appear across the 555‑square‑mile park, aligning with the peak of the holiday season. The automaker will also provide free bicycle hire through the Parsley Hay Cycle Centre, with visitors entering the code “SkodaPeaqDistrict” on the park’s website to claim the service.

Research revealed that 29 percent of adults in the United Kingdom have never visited any of the 15 designated national parks. A further 37 percent mistakenly believed that entry to a park required a fee, and 18 percent overestimated the total number of parks, thinking there were 20. When asked to name a park, 47 percent mentioned the Lake District, while 42 percent identified the Peak District.

According to the director of Skoda UK, Eric Boutin, the new model “is the ultimate SUV for families with an everyday sense of adventure, and it fits perfectly with the ethos of the Peak District National Park.” He added that cycling has long been part of the brand’s heritage, noting that Skoda began as a bicycle manufacturer.

Details of the Skoda Peaq SUV

The Skoda Peaq is the brand’s largest electric vehicle to date. It seats up to seven passengers and can hold up to 2,075 litres of cargo when the second‑ and third‑row seats are folded.

The manufacturer claims a fully charged battery provides a range of 390 miles, which it says is ample for exploring the temporarily renamed park.

Phil Mulligan, chief executive of the Peak District National Park, said the organization aims to make the area as accessible as possible. He highlighted the network of walking routes and bike trails, emphasizing the desire for visitors to “understand and appreciate its natural beauty.”

The free‑cycle offer is limited to the rebranding period, and the code must be entered on the park’s official site to activate the service. The initiative is intended to draw families to the area and showcase the capabilities of the electric SUV.

In practice, this type of partnership resembles earlier collaborations where car makers have linked product launches with tourism campaigns. Those efforts often rely on the novelty of a temporary name change or themed event to generate media attention and foot traffic.

Skoda also announced pricing for the electric SUV, with a starting price of £24,090, positioning it among other family‑focused models debuting in 2026. The company has not disclosed detailed specifications beyond range and cargo capacity, but the price point suggests a competitive stance against rivals in the expanding EV market.

Overall, the campaign blends product promotion with a public‑service angle, aiming to correct misconceptions about national park access while highlighting the Peaq’s suitability for outdoor trips. The temporary “Peaq District” name will disappear after August 2, returning the park to its historic designation.