Explorer EV Rally 2025: showcasing the power of EVs and UK charging

The 2025 EXPLORER EV Rally, organised by GREENFLEET, proved to be a powerful showcase of electric vehicle (EV) capability, clean energy innovation, and the strengths and challenges of the UK’s public charging infrastructure. 

Spanning over 1,000 miles across five days, the event saw teams from across the fleet, logistics and automotive sectors drive a diverse range of electric vehicles from Newquay in Cornwall to Tatton Park in Knutsford, stopping at designated check points along the way.

Kicking off on 1 September at MFG’s impressive charging hub in Newquay, the rally - sponsored by Lex Autolease - followed a carefully planned route that incorporated numerous clean energy sites and EV charging hubs, as well as visiting some of England's finest landscapes.

One of the rally’s most unique early stops was at Dunkeswell Aerodrome, where Aerovolt showcased the world’s first public smart charging network for electric aircraft. Other visits included Haynes Motor Museum and Instavolt's charging hub, off the A34 in Winchester, which houses an impressive 44 ultra rapid EV chargers.

On day two, the teams had checked in at Gridserve's electric forecourt at Gatwick, Bewl Water in Kent, and the elegant Sopwell House in St Albans where Zaptech showcased its newly launched V2G capable charger. The day concluded in Dawsongroup Vans’ depot in Milton Keynes, home to a state-of-the-art clean energy microgrid. With a 262kWp solar system, large-scale battery storage, and over 30 EV chargers, the site showcased what's possible at fleet depots.

The halfway point on 3 September was marked at the Cenex Expo, hosted at UTAC Millbrook Proving Ground. Here, the rally teams showcased their vehicles to expo attendees and joined discussions on the role of EVs in future mobility. Cenex CEO Robert Evans welcomed the rally, praising it as a real-world demonstration of zero-emission transport in action. 

The third day ended in a highly memorable end checkpoint at Drax Electric Vehicles' office in Ipswich, where teams were greeted with a BBQ, drinks, games and massages.

The route continued through other standout locations, including Silverstone, where teams visited 3ti’s Papilio3 solar-powered EV charging hub, and Tyseley Energy Park in Birmingham, which is turning clean energy technologies into commercially viable systems. Sixt hosted teams at their Van and Truck site in Eccles, Manchester, giving drivers much needed lunch and refreshments.

Day five included a visit to the Chamber House solar farm – Greater Manchester’s largest publicly owned solar site – before teams made their final push to the finish line.

Tatton Park in Knutsford hosted the rally’s finish line, sponsored by Lex Autolease, where participants were awarded medals and celebrated completing an ambitious, all-electric journey across the UK.

Teams and partners

The event owed much of its success to key partners: OVO Energy provided charge cards granting access to over 34,000 chargers; Farizon supported logistics with its new electric SV van; the AA offered roadside assistance; and Drivetech delivered EV driver training. BMW, as the official Vehicle Partner, supplied a fleet of electric vehicles for GREENFLEET staff and media teams.

A wide variety of teams took part, including professionals from Lex Autolease, Mercedes Benz Trucks, MINI, Zaptec, Drax, SIXT, Speedy, Harris Higer, Tusker, Farizon, OVO, and EVjuiceNGO. Mercedes Benz Trucks showcased the capabilities of its eActros 600 over the full five-day route, with driving duties shared among its UK dealer partners.

Colin Boyton, the rally’s event manager, highlighted the 2025 rally’s new focus: “This year saw us embrace the theme of clean energy and innovation. The teams discovered cutting-edge projects that are accelerating e-mobility in the UK fleet sector. Partnering with Cenex and visiting their Expo added another exciting layer to the rally.”

Over the five days, the EXPLORER EV Rally 2025 proved that electric vehicles are ready for long-distance, real-world use and that the UK is advancing steadily on the road to net zero.