THE EVENT...IN SHORT!

The 2024 AtoZ EV Rally was the ultimate test of vehicle capability and the public charging infrastructure, while showcasing innovative solutions and examples of clean energy.

At more than 1500 all-electric miles, it was the biggest Rally to date, coupled with the fact that we had more Teams participating than ever before, and more vehicles driving every day than we have ever had.

For the first time, the participating eHGVs were ‘laden’, with the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 weighing in at over 40-tonnes! The vans driven by Lex Autolease were collecting donations to their charity, CRISIS. This meant they were getting progressively heavier from one day to the next.

And for the first time, we had a 2-wheeled participant… An e-Motorbike. This enabled us to showcase the need for AC charging on the public network, as well as ‘auxiliary power’ charging, where it plugged into a KIA EV6, at the hotel, every night. This gave the bike full power the following morning and only drained the car by 12-15%, which had no effect on its own performance.

The event was organised and supported by the team at GREENFLEET, all of whom were driving all-electric vehicles, kindly provided by our Official Event Partners, Europcar and Maxus UK.

We attempted something that had never been done before… 

And we did it!

We feel that after 4 years and 4 rallies, we have proven that the vehicles are capable. So, we’re moving away from long, 350+ mile days… The Drive, stop, charge, drive, stop, charge format…

But we have only begun to scratch the surface, in terms of what’s achiEVable!

When planning the ‘25 EV Rally, we wanted clean energy and innovation to be at the centre of what we do and communicate. We’re looking at Nuclear, Wind, Solar and Hydro… Clean Energy! And in the middle of it all, innovation in clean and sustainable transport. 

We will discover what’s here, now… And what’s around the corner! We will EXPLORE the realms of what’s possible in e-mobility.

We are moving from our traditional ‘first week of July’ dates and staging the UK’s most talked-about fleet EVent from 01 - 05 September. Thanks to our ‘Start Hosts’, we begin in a ‘charging desert’, that is Newquay in Cornwall. And from there, we will EXPLORE the land, discovering real-life examples of clean energy and innovation. 

We will do all of this on the EXPLORER EV Rally ’25!

2025 sees the event move on from the traditional format, with some new features. At the heart of it all will be showcasing what can be done, in terms of a fleet electrification strategy:

• A day at Cenex EXPO, Millbrook, on Day 3!
• Shorter days, more networking time!
• ‘Trunk Road Tuesday’ – Motorway ban for cars!
• Social media competition…
• And a new name! The EXPLORER EV Rally is the ‘theme’ for 2025, as we look to discover examples of clean energy and innovation. And, we want the event to have a ‘theme tune’… For CarFool Karaoke…

So, thinking caps on! Oh, and maybe a mascot too…

As usual, it’s going to be unbeliEVable!

The Explorer EV Rally showcase at Cenex EXPO…

03 September sees us arrive at Millbrook Proving Ground, thanks to a new partnership with Cenex. We are in for a day of networking with key delegates from the UK and abroad, as we celebrate all things ‘clean energy and innovation’. Outside, on the Steering pad, will be the vehicle showcase, featuring a vehicle from each participating Team, together with logistics and media vehicles too.

After a jam-packed day, we leave, in an ‘e-convoy’, including a parade lap around the outdoor area, before taking on the iconic ‘Hill Circuit’, before leaving the venue and making our way east, to Ipswich for the overnight stop.

Cenex CEO, Robert Evans said: "Cenex Expo is the premier platform where ground-breaking low-carbon vehicle and connected automated mobility innovations come together to shape the future of sustainable transport. Therefore, we are thrilled to welcome the EV Rally to Cenex Expo on Wednesday, September 3rd, as it showcases the real-world capabilities of electric vehicles in action. The Rally’s core themes of Clean Energy and Innovation align perfectly with Cenex Expo’s focus on Net Zero innovation and energy solutions for transport. We look forward to seeing the EV Rally vehicles in our outdoor exhibition and to co-hosting an insightful seminar session on Clean Energy and Innovation. This session will feature expert speakers from the EV Rally teams, offering valuable perspectives on the future of clean mobility."

And Rally Event Manager, Colin Boyton commented: “2025 sees the EV Rally embrace a new theme – Clean Energy & Innovation. The Teams will discover new and innovative examples that are helping shape and accelerate e-mobility in UK fleet, and in the middle of it all sees us enter a new partnership with Cenex, who have kindly agreed to host us at their Cenex EXPO event at Millbrook, on Day 3 of the Rally. With energy solutions and innovation in clean transport at the core of this long-standing event, we’re delighted to be givenn the chance to showcase real-world EV capability, whilst sharing those experiences at the conference too”. 

The Explorer EV Rally conference session…

Delegates attending Cenex EXPO can also come and hear from the main protagonists involved in the Rally, at our own designated session. Here, we will outline what the event is designed to do, how it’s grown, what we have learnt and where we are going. 

Chaired by the Rally Media Crew of Sara Sloman and John Curtis, here’s what you can expect on the day:

Clean Energy & Innovation Live!

The Speaker Line-Up

The Panel Session

LETS MAKE THIS EVENTFUL...

While we expect to make the news, on TV AND Radio, our reach on social media platforms will drive the interest in this, and our TEAMS and PARTNERS are key to us achieving this, as well as the smooth running of the event too. Here is a summary of what we can expect, if we’re CLEVER enough…

YOUR TRUSTED ELECTRIC VEHICLE PARTNER

Lex Autolease are one of the leading UK leasing companies and green fleet experts, with a commitment for all our customers to have zero emission fleets by 2030. But in order to achieve this goal we need to raise awareness around electric vehicles (EVs) and demonstrate their ability in real world driving, over long distances and in all regions, not just cities. That’s why, following on from the immense successes of the GBEV Rally in 2022, the Capital City Challenge in ’23 and the AtoZ Rally of last year, we’re proud to be lead sponsor again for this year’s EXPLORER EV Rally ’25, focusing on clean energy and innovation.

“Since day one, Lex Autolease has been leading the charge towards a net-zero future and we’re thrilled to be the lead sponsor of the 2025 ‘Explorer’ EV Rally. This event is a powerful platform to showcase advancements in electric vehicle technology and infrastructure. Our commitment to sustainability and empowering fleet managers with the knowledge to take charge of change is at the heart of everything we do. By supporting the EV Rally, we reaffirm our dedication to driving positive change and proving that electric vehicles are not just viable but essential for a greener tomorrow." - Nick Williams, Managing Director, Lex Autolease, part of Lloyds Banking Group.

The EV Rally is about demonstrating the potential of EV technology. It’s about showcasing the extensive charging infrastructure and providing a clear, visible and simple demonstration that EVs can truly go the distance – a belief we share at Lex Autolease. From their cutting-edge technology to their environmental and financial benefits, EVs are a big part of today’s mobility conversation. And we’re here to support this discussion and help you find the right vehicles for your business.

“With our strong focus on our customers’ transitioning to zero emission vehicles, the EXPLORER EV Rally ’25 is another fantastic showcase for what electric vehicles and the associated infrastructure can achieve.  The EV market has been accelerating at a tremendous pace, but we need to maintain this momentum and also help develop the used vehicle market for EVs.  Demonstrating these technologies and their capabilities now, helps build the confidence for others to go electric, and this year incorporating more diverse vehicle types to show it’s not just cars and small vans.”  - Chris Chandler, Principal Fleet Consultant at Lex Autolease and one of the GREENFLEET 100’s most influential people to have shaped the zero and low carbon fleet industry.

LEADING THE EV TRANSITION

Since 2011, we’ve been one of the leaders in the transition to EV. We supplied some of the first fleet EVs over a decade ago, and now we provide our customers with a wide range of today’s most popular models. Our own Lloyds Banking Group company car fleet policy has been electric-only since 2021, and in recognition of the strides we’ve made in fleet electrification, we have been named Leasing Company of the Year at various fleet sector awards.

But that’s not all. We’re helping businesses transform their fleets by plotting where they are on our Sustainability Curve –– the path from conventionally fuelled vehicles to net zero emissions vehicles. And although your green fleet transformation won’t happen overnight, we’re here to guide you all the way to zero.

Now’s the time to move your fleet to a more sustainable and cost-effective place.

Find out how EVs can work for your fleet, read our online guide

Or get in touch with one of our experts on 0800 012 1234, lines are open 8:30am – 5:30pm. And don’t forget to follow our Lex Autolease rally team via our social media channels to see how we get on.

‘OFFICIAL TEAM’ PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES… Working together, to keep your brand ahead of the competition…

Voted ‘Event of the Year’ in the media industry… With coverage found all over the world, including the US, Canada, Australia, India and across Europe and Scandinavia, the EV Rally really has captured the imagination in the world of e-mobility.

We have seen drivers featured on BBC radio, over the years, and with BBC regional TV news coverage for the last 3 years, the event, and its participants, are literally seen by millions.

Couple all of that with the social media reach, taking into account the brands involved, together with the individuals, there truly is only one place to be this September… On the START Line in Newquay!

So, get in touch and find it what it’s going to take to secure your place on the most talked about EVent in the UK fleet calendar!

The exact route, with Checkpoints, is still being plotted. Come back soon for updates