The RAC is to use its electric breakdown technology to support the first EV rally to take place in England on Sunday 18 July.
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.
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 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.’
