The event, which celebrates electric vehicles, clean technology, and sustainable transport, saw dozens of industry professionals and exhibitors brought together to focus on the future of low-emission driving.
More than 100 people also journeyed from Westminster City School in London to Brighton’s Madeira Drive, with awards given to the vehicles that completed the route using the least amount of energy in their category.
Claire Rose and Jennifer Wines, who work for electrical vehicle manufacturer Geely Auto UK, were among those who made the trip.
Ms Wines said: “One of our big things that we wanted to do as part of the rally is to complete the London to Brighton on EV range in our plug-in hybrid model.
“We’ve been able to bring products to the market that are plug-in hybrids with a really usable EV range, and we’ve completed the drive on a plug-in hybrid in full electric mode.
“So that’s something that we wanted to try and prove that is doable.”
She added: “It’s a little bit of a mindset shift, when you’re thinking initially about swapping from an International Combustion Engine vehicle to an EV, but we were discussing on the way down how unbelievably easy it is to own an EV, especially if you’ve got any charging facilities at home.
“You plug in, you charge overnight, you wake up in the morning, you’re on 100%, you can get up and go anywhere.
“And personally, we think that’s just so great to drive.”
Among the other attendees at the event was electric vehicle charging company Believ, which sponsored the rally.
The company recently won a contract with Brighton and Hove City Council to install more than 200 charging points across the city.
The project, valued at more than £5 million, will include both rapid and ultra-rapid chargers.
Dan Gates, from Believ, said: “I think the last couple of years there’s been a slow uptake and then suddenly it’s just picking up.
“And it just makes sense; people are realising that in terms of cost it’s just cheaper to drive electric vehicles now.
“The one thing that was kind of holding people back was the charging, and concerns about if you’re out on a long trip and there’s no chargers, then you’re screwed.
“But the chargers are getting there, the infrastructure is there, so it’s just a matter of time before everyone is driving electric vehicles.
“It’s exciting – a good time to be in the industry.”
Also attending the event was South Korean global tyre manufacturer Hancook Tyres, which has pioneered the iON range of tyres, specifically designed for electric vehicles.
Ben Francis, from Hancook, said: “The electric vehicle market is now growing dramatically and it’s good to see that change.
“It’s the first time really that the market is resetting and everybody’s in the same position with new vehicles coming out, so it’s really good.”
Since launching in 2021, the London to Brighton EV rally has grown from a modest energy-efficiency challenge into a major public event.
Now in its sixth year, the day is also pitched at families and includes food and drink, live music, and activities including an electric stunt show.
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