Ahead of the 2025 EV Rally Cymru, we catch up with Dave Costelloe of Costelloes EV Group – the North Wales charge point operator - about why the company is backing the event, how they're preparing to tackle any challenges on-route, and how they’re helping to drive the transition to zero-emission transport

Please tell us about your company?

Costelloes EV Group is a North Wales–based charge point operator and installation specialist dedicated to building and maintaining the UK’s next-generation EV charging infrastructure. We provide end-to-end solutions – from design, civils, and electrical installation through to back-office management and ongoing maintenance – for both public and private clients.

We’re proud to support local authorities such as Wrexham County Borough Council, Ceredigion Council, and national partners including Network Rail, helping to deliver reliable, accessible, and future-proof EV networks across Wales and beyond.

What has made you decide to get involved in the EV Rally Cymru?

We’ve followed the rally closely for the past few years and are thrilled to be official sponsors of the 2025 start point in Wrexham. After supporting a checkpoint last year, it felt only right to step up our involvement – it’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase how far Welsh EV infrastructure has come and to connect with others who share our passion for clean transport and innovation. It’s also a great way to celebrate the collaborative progress being made across councils, manufacturers, and installers throughout Wales.

Please tell us about your team – who is driving and in what vehicles?

Our team for this year’s rally will be Dave and Vickie Costelloe, both directors of Costelloes EV Group. We’ll be taking part in our Hyundai Ioniq 5 Project 45, which has now clocked over 40,000 fully electric miles in just four years – and it’s still performing as strong as the day it left the factory. It’s the perfect showcase of EV reliability and real-world performance, having handled everything from daily commutes and long client visits to family road trips across the UK, all without a single issue.

Do you anticipate any challenges on the rally, and if so, do you have a particular strategy to get you through them?

Wales has some stunning but remote areas, so route planning and charging strategy will be key. We’ll be relying on our knowledge of the public charging network — including many of the charge points we’ve installed ourselves – and a solid plan for energy management between checkpoints. Beyond that, it’s all about teamwork and keeping the batteries (ours and the car’s!) topped up.

The rally will be checking-in at some clean energy and innovation projects along the way – how important is renewable energy in the EV narrative?

Renewable energy is absolutely central to the EV story. Electrifying transport only achieves its full potential when the energy behind it is clean and sustainable. That’s why we’re increasingly integrating solar PV, battery storage, and smart-grid technology into our charging projects – enabling genuine zero-carbon journeys and reducing strain on the grid. The rally highlights exactly how these technologies come together to create a more sustainable future.

Please tell us about Costelloes EV Group’s current and future decarbonisation plans

We’re committed to leading by example. Internally, we’re transitioning our entire fleet to electric and installing solar PV with battery storage at our own premises. Externally, we’re expanding our network of high-speed EV hubs and solar-canopy car parks, supporting councils and businesses to meet their Net Zero targets. Our focus is on smart, integrated energy systems that combine EV charging, solar generation, and on-site storage – turning car parks into renewable energy assets for the communities they serve.