June 2025
Long Journeys
We often hear the argument that people are put off from getting an electric vehicle because they make a long trip each year to Cornwall, the Lake District or Scotland.
Whilst it is true that it might not be possible to travel 300 miles plus in an average EV without stopping to charge, it is also true that anyone in a petrol or diesel car on such a long journey should also stop off to take a break for safety reasons.
EV Europa Rally
Recently, two AA teams proved that you can easily travel long distances in an EV by taking part in the EV Europa Rally. The AA teams left Basingstoke in an all-electric Ford Capri and a BYD Sealion 7 to make their way, via the AA shop at Folkestone and Le Shuttle, to the start in Brussels. Before setting off, vehicle experts from Ford and BYD gave some tips on how to get the best out of the vehicles.
The EV Europa Rally 2025 was an exhilarating event that showcased the latest advancements in electric vehicle technology and clean energy solutions. The rally spanned 1,270 kilometres over three days, taking participants through five different countries: Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and France.
The route
The event kicked off in Brussels at the iconic Atomium. The Director General of the FIA Brussels Office came to offer support to the AA team and was interviewed by Edmund King. PR’s Tony Rich went above and beyond and even mended the brakes on her cycle and gave her some AA ‘Think Bike’ stickers.
From there the teams crossed into the Netherlands and took a pit stop at the Kristal Solar Park and navigated through various charging hubs and clean energy projects along the way. Highlights included stops in Brecht, Antwerp, Arnhem, Rotterdam, The Hague, Zandvoort and Maastricht, where participants had the opportunity to network with local companies and learn about innovative infrastructure solutions. The final leg of the rally took participants through the picturesque Ardennes Regional Nature Park, touched in France before concluding back in Brussels.
All cars used the Octopus Electroverse card and app for charging which was an excellent and seamless experience.
The rally was not just about the journey but also about the experiences along the way. The event also featured various networking opportunities with car manufacturers, energy companies and suppliers. Team AA also took advantage to meet the CEO and Chief Commercial Officer of ARC Europe who the AA work with on European breakdowns. Various media interviews and showcase interviews were conducted and messaging from the rally was amplified on social media.
Performance
One of the standout aspects of the rally was the performance of the electric vehicles. There were no breakdowns or software issues reported, and the vehicles performed admirably throughout the event. Team AA was also pleased that those driving the Ford Capri electric vehicle won a podium place in the official efficiency rankings despite competing with smaller cars.
Lessons learnt
Overall, the EV Europa Rally 2025 was a resounding success, offering participants a unique opportunity to experience electric mobility across different countries, network with like-minded professionals, and bring back valuable insights to push the EV case forward in the UK.
The main difference between this rally and the first Greenfleet EV Rally of Scotland following COP26 in 2021 was that the cars have a better range, charging infrastructure is more extensive and reliable so as a result planned charging really is not required.
The AA is committed to create confidence for drivers, now and for the future, and the EV rally is a fantastic opportunity to do just that. And for those that said you can’t drive EVs for long distances, well I drove back the electric Ford Capri, full of team AA and cases, from Brussels to Basingstoke without charging. Try it.
Ps You will be able to read a review of the Capri on my Living with an Electric Vehicle Blog.