EV Rally to showcase what electric vehicles can achieve on Welsh roads

As the EV Rally gets underway tomorrow, our drivers, Paul Boote and Tom Jenkins, are looking forward to putting electric vehicles to the test across Wales, demonstrating their real-world capabilities and highlighting the role of charging infrastructure in supporting the transition to electric transport.

The rally brings together a wide range of electric vehicles to tackle Wales's varied terrain, providing an opportunity to challenge assumptions about range, performance and the practicality of EVs beyond urban areas.

For the FleetEV team, one of the main attractions is demonstrating just how far electric vehicles can travel on a single charge.

Paul said: “It's about proving that EVs can go so much further than many people think. The rally welcomes all types of vehicles, so it'll be interesting to see how they perform across the varied topography of Wales. I'm also looking forward to surprising myself with just how many miles per kWh I can achieve.”

Despite growing adoption, misconceptions about electric vehicle range and the need to stop to charge remain barriers for some drivers. FleetEV believes events like the rally are an important opportunity to demonstrate what today's vehicles can do and help people make informed decisions about switching to electric.

Paul added: “Drivers value convenience, and the idea of having to stop en route can sometimes feel like a chore. I think there's still a lack of understanding about just how capable EVs are in most situations. As EV professionals, it's up to us to showcase what different vehicles can do and help educate people for the future.”

As Wales's leading supplier of electric vehicles to the public sector, FleetEV sees its involvement as part of a wider commitment to sustainable transport and reducing emissions on UK roads. With expertise spanning a range of vehicle types, the company is keen to demonstrate that electric power can meet a diverse range of operational needs.

For PLUG Charging, the rally also offers an opportunity to explore how electric vehicles perform in the places where reliable charging infrastructure is particularly important.

Our team will be driving Tom’s Tesla Model Y, drawing on his extensive personal experience of electric motoring in rural Wales. Having covered around 20,000 miles in six months, largely across rural roads, Tom relies on the car for work, farm life and everyday journeys.

Living in rural West Wales and running Cilbronnau Farm, a camping and glamping business near Cardigan, alongside his role at PLUG, Tom understands first-hand the demands of travelling long distances, managing unpredictable schedules and operating away from the motorway network.

Tom said: “If an EV works for my life, it can work for most people. I genuinely enjoy owning an EV and like helping others understand what day-to-day ownership is really like. The rally is a great chance to show that rural living and running a business don't mean compromising on the switch to electric.

“Sustainability runs through everything I do, because we want to hand the environment on to the next generation in a better state.”

The rally will also provide an opportunity to assess Wales's charging network from a driver's perspective. Over the past year, PLUG Charging has brought more than 800 chargers onto its network, and the team is keen to identify where further investment could make the biggest difference.

Particular attention will be paid to charger reliability, gaps in coverage and the ease of charging in market towns, coastal destinations and tourist areas.

Those insights will help inform future infrastructure development, supporting drivers who need dependable charging options wherever their journeys take them.

Together, FleetEV and PLUG Charging are using the rally to champion the practical benefits of electric transport, challenge outdated perceptions and help build confidence in the vehicles and infrastructure needed to support a lower-emission future.