RAC to support first electric vehicle rally to take place in England with its unique EV recharging system

Image: RAC
Image: RAC

The RAC is to use its unrivalled electric breakdown technology to support the first EV rally to take place in England.

Featuring a wide range of EVs from factory models to solar powered and several self-builds, The London to Brighton EV Rally (L2BEVR) will start on the banks of the River Thames and cover over 58 miles, passing through the beautiful Sussex and Surrey countryside before finishing at Madeira Drive on Brighton seafront on Sunday 18 July.

The event, which is organised by Brighton-based bus company The Big Lemon and proudly sponsored by Britain’s biggest generator of zero carbon electricity EDF, currently has 27 entries including a Sinclair C5, Jaguar i-Pace and Renault Twizy, and a self-build former chicken coup.

As the number-one for EV breakdown, the RAC has teamed up with this year’s event as the official breakdown and recovery partner with its expert patrols on hand to rescue any of competitor who runs into difficulty.

The RAC is ideally placed to support the L2BEVR as it’s the only UK breakdown company in the UK to be able to recharge a flat or severely depleted EV from a lightweight van-mounted charging unit. RAC EV Boost is capable of topping up an out-of-charge EV enough to be driven a short distance home or to a nearby chargepoint, which the RAC believes is faster, more efficient and better for the planet than having to send a big flatbed recovery vehicle.

Any vehicles the RAC can’t fix at the roadside will be recovered by one of its patrol vans using the pioneering All-Wheels-Up recovery system which gives flatbed capability to an RAC van meaning there’s no need to wait for a tow truck.

RAC EV spokesman Simon Williams said:

“We’re delighted to be the official breakdown partner for the first ever London to Brighton EV Rally, particularly as our expert patrols are already so well known for helping on the Royal Automobile Club’s Veteran Car Run. As the number-one for EV breakdowns we’re ideally placed to assist any competitor who runs into difficulty.

“Our teams will be there to give competitors complete peace of mind in case something unexpected happens, whether that’s getting a puncture or running out of charge. Any competitor unfortunate enough to go ‘flat’ will be able to benefit from our market-leading EV Boost technology which provides an emergency charge sufficient to get drivers home or to the nearest charge point.

“Our vans are also equipped with our unique All Wheels Up recovery system which enables patrols to tow EVs with all four wheels off the ground, and saves time waiting for a separate recovery vehicle. It’s like having a flatbed in the back of our vans.”

L2BEVR co-founder Tom Druitt said:

“We are very excited about the first running of the rally and hope it will become an annual event showcasing the rapid development of electric vehicles and renewable energy.

“We’re very pleased to have the support of such high-profile companies such as the RAC which is clearly leading the way in looking after the breakdown needs of electric vehicle owners.”

Electric vehicle drivers, bikers, cyclists and self-build aficionados are invited to sign up to the event. Starting from just £60 to take part, categories for the rally include: e-bikes, e-motorbikes, city cars, saloon cars, SUVs, vans, self-builds, minibuses, buses, trucks and public transport. All vehicles must be road legal.

The event culminates with an award ceremony at the Grand Hotel Brighton with prizes for participants with the lowest energy consumption and general performance across all categories. There will also be an e-village featuring an array of EV displays, entertainment, food and drink.

Press office team

Press office team

For journalist enquiries only

Share

Latest News

Website preview
Second month of lower fuel prices as petrol and diesel fall by 2p a litre in April
RAC calls for further cuts at the pumps to reflect lower wholesale costs
media.rac.co.uk
Website preview
RAC rolls out mechanic apprenticeships nationwide in industry first
Students across England can now become patrols or RAC Mobile Mechanics through the ‘RAC Academy’
media.rac.co.uk
Website preview
Drivers planning a million more leisure trips by car this May Day bank holiday
The number of getaway journeys on major roads is up on last year despite Easter still fresh in people’s minds
media.rac.co.uk

Get updates in your mailbox

By clicking "Subscribe" I confirm I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy.

About RAC Media Centre

The RAC Media Centre provides journalists and news outlets with the latest motoring-related news, comment, data and research.

The RAC is an iconic UK brand, and provides complete peace of mind to nearly 14 million UK private and business drivers - whatever their motoring needs. As well as its premium nationwide breakdown assistance service – with an expert branded patrol workforce attending more than two million breakdowns every year – and European breakdown assistance products, it offers a wide range of market-leading products across insurance, legal services, vehicle inspections and service, maintenance and repair. Included in this is the first-of-its-kind nationwide Mobile Mechanics service which brings the garage to homes and workplaces. 

At the forefront of new solutions for business fleets and consumers, the RAC’s breakdown service is electric-ready with mobile EV charging technology and be called on using myRAC – its all-in-one route planner, fuel finder and breakdown reporting app