A Rally, A Revolution
A Reminder On Saturday 21st June 2025, as the sun rises over Westminster Bridge, something extraordinary will happen. More than 80 electric vehicles—from Teslas to tuk-tuks—will quietly roll out on the most iconic EV event in the UK calendar: the fifth annual London to Brighton Electric Vehicle Rally. All competing to be the most energy efficient!
This isn’t just a celebration.
It’s a statement. And this year, we’re tying it to something even bigger: Show Your Stripes Day, the international climate campaign using simple, powerful visuals to show how the world is warming. With global temperatures rising faster than ever, and with transport still accounting for 26% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, the rally offers a chance for us all to drive change—literally.
Back in 2011: A Personal Turning Point
For me, this rally is more than an event—it’s a culmination of a journey that started in 2011, when I first got involved with EVs. Back then, driving electric was more a novelty than a necessity. The infrastructure was patchy, the cars were quirky, and the idea of doing a long-distance trip without petrol was still met with raised eyebrows.
I remember being part of early test-drive events where we’d beg people to just sit in the car. Most had never seen one before. I became obsessed with the possibilities— cleaner air, lower costs, and a shift away from our toxic reliance on fossil fuels.
Those early moments shaped my career. But more importantly, they shaped my conviction that people needed something more than facts and figures—they needed emotion, experience, and community.
That’s what the London to Brighton EV Rally was created to provide.
The Early Days of the Rally
The first rally in 2021 had just 23 entrants. The cars were varied: a Nissan Leaf here, a converted VW Camper there, maybe the odd Renault Zoe or early Tesla Model S. There were hand-painted banners, printed A4 maps, and a lot of prayers for charging points.
But it worked. It had spirit.
The second year saw 40 vehicles. Then 60. Now, we’re on track for over 80 fully electric teams, not to mention media crews, drones, marshals, and 30+ brand partners showcasing everything from electric mopeds to solar charging canopies.
The growth has been incredible—not just in numbers, but in impact.
The Stakes Are Higher in 2025
The UK is just five years away from the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles. In 2021, EVs made up only 11.6% of new car registrations. In 2025, that figure has passed 27%, and the government predicts it could hit 50% by 2028.
Charging infrastructure has improved too, with over 60,000 public charge points now available across the UK—up from just 9,000 in 2018. Ultra-rapid chargers are appearing on motorways, in supermarkets, and even in remote villages.
But challenges remain: education, affordability, and the perception of EVs as elite. That’s why this rally is vital. It’s not a closed track event or a niche trade show. It’s a moving, open-air celebration that anyone can join or support. It makes electric mobility real.
Meet the Heart of the Rally – Harrison Hughes
While I brought the history, Harrison Hughes brought the fire. At just 16 years old, Harrison stood on the world stage at COP26 in Glasgow, speaking on behalf of young people and their right to a liveable planet.
Since joining the rally team, he’s helped take it from a great idea to a great event. As Event Director, Harrison has led the planning, forged new partnerships, and made sure the rally reflects our values: inclusivity, sustainability, and a touch of fun.
“Harrison’s not just an organiser—he’s a movement in motion,” I often say. “He keeps us bold, honest, and forward-thinking.”
What to Expect This Year
Start:
- 7:00 AM – Westminster Bridge, London The iconic Houses of Parliament behind us, the Thames flowing past, and the quiet hum of innovation rolling south.
Route:
- 58 miles through city streets, leafy lanes and Sussex countryside
- EV chargers mapped and tested
- Marshals, media, and surprises along the way
Finish:
- Madeira Drive, Brighton – from 9:30 AM onwards
- Food stalls, charging demos, test drives, family zones, sponsor showcases
Party:
- 4:00 PM until late – Brighton i360 Awards Celebration
- Trophies, live music, Korean cuisine, cocktails, and coastal views
Spotlight on Innovation: Hankook Joins the Rally
One of this year’s highlights is the tyre technology challenge, courtesy of new sponsor Hankook Tyre UK. Drivers will be running either standard road tyres or Hankook’s EV-specific iON evo range to see how they compare on energy efficiency, handling, and range across the route.
“EVs don’t just need different motors—they need smarter materials everywhere, especially tyres,”
says Chang Yool Han, Managing Director at Hankook Tyre UK.
“This rally lets us show the real-world benefits of EV-dedicated tyre technology.”
We’ll reveal the results—and the tyre champions—at the i360 Awards Ceremony.
World Record Holder Kevin Booker Joins the Line-Up
The rally will also welcome Kevin Booker, the Guinness World Record holder for EV battery conservation. Kevin’s efficiency and technical mastery are legendary. This year, he’ll be taking on the route under full rally conditions to see how far he can stretch every kWh.
Who’s Backing the Rally in 2025?
This year’s stakeholder list reads like a who’s who of the EV world. Partnering with our friends and inspiration from day 1 the phenomenal Everything Electric SHOW we are also working with Carfest – the ultimate festival of food motors and amazing music. Key stakeholders this year are:
- BYD UK – Major partner for a third year running, showcasing their rapidly expanding UK range
- Ford & Dinnages Brighton – Launching the new Ford Puma Gen-E
- Maeving – Bringing beautiful British-made electric motorbikes to the seafront
- Believ – Providing infrastructure insights as our official charging partner
- RAC – Ensuring recovery support for all participants for the fifth straight year
- Macmillan Cancer Support – Our charity partner, raising funds on the day
We’re also supported by Brighton & Hove City Council, who have been fantastic advocates from the start.
Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet Member for Transport, sums it up well:
“The EV Rally shows Brighton at its best—innovative, green, inclusive. It helps people connect to the future of transport in a way that’s inspiring, not intimidating.”
Why We Celebrate on Show Your Stripes Day
21st June is not just midsummer—it’s Show Your Stripes Day, launched by scientist Professor Ed Hawkins to visualise how fast the planet is heating.
Each stripe in the graphic represents a year, coloured blue for cooler years and red for warmer. The shift is shocking. And that’s the point.
By aligning the rally with this powerful campaign, we’re reminding people that every action matters. Every journey matters. Every choice—like what you drive—matters.
So when our cars roll out with warming stripes on their bonnets, when our banners show that iconic gradient, we’re doing more than driving. We’re sending a message.
Get Involved – It’s Not Too Late
There’s still time to sign up. If you drive an electric vehicle —whether it’s a car, van, bike, or bus—you can join the fifth anniversary rally. Visit www.londontobrighton.org, register, and be part of something extraordinary. And if you don’t have an EV, you can still be part of the journey:
- Come to Westminster Bridge at 7am and cheer the convoy as it departs
- Visit Madeira Drive in Brighton from 9:30am, explore the cars, chat to drivers, try a test drive
- Show your stripes – wear them, wave them, share them We want thousands of people taking part—on the road, on foot, online.
We want thousands of people taking part—on the road, on foot, online.
What This Rally Means to Me
I’ve done a lot in my life. But nothing fills me with as much pride as watching this rally come to life each year.
When I see a kid hop into an electric car for the first time and grin from ear to ear, or when I hear a 70-year-old say they’re switching from diesel because they “get it now”, I know we’re making a difference.
When I see families biking to Brighton to meet the convoy, or small businesses installing their first chargers because they saw us on the news, I feel the ripple effect.
This is more than a parade of EVs. It’s a rolling revolution.
And for me, the journey that began in 2011 with a borrowed Nissan Leaf and a box of leaflets has led here—to the most powerful, positive, and progressive thing I’ve ever helped build.
Five Years On – Just the Beginning
Five years ago, the EV industry needed proof of concept. Now, it needs public support, policy clarity, and shared experiences. That’s what the rally offers.
Our vision for 2030? Bigger, longer, international. We’re already talking to partners in Europe about cross-border rallies, hydrogen integration, and future fuels. But for now, all roads lead to Brighton.
So please—come drive with us. We have over 25 vehicles for test drives on the seafront in Brighton. Bring your licence and see for yourself at our charge and drive zone.
Come support us. Come celebrate how far we’ve come. Because the road to net zero is long—but it’s a journey we must make together.
See you on the 21st June
About the author
Bill Murray is a broadcast journalist with over 14 years experience in the sector. Back in 2022, Bill and fellow EV blood hound Harrison Hughes founded Electra Connect to accelerate the transition to electric mobility. Their partnership has driven the creation of major industry events, including the Powered Up Conference, the London to Brighton Electric Vehicle Rally, and the Charge & Drive series. Alongside events, Electra Connect provides PR and consultancy services to industry leaders, ensuring businesses pioneering sustainable transport receive the strategic support and visibility they need. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, Bill and Harrison continue to shape the EV landscape across the UK.
