28 June 2025
You might know him as Greenstripshow, Peoplestariff, or the man behind #RTWev80, but whatever the name, Patric Maine is well-known across the EV community (although rarely will you see “just” Patric with no green credentials attached to it!)
Imogen Bhogal of the Fully Charged Show even dubbed him “the legend that is Patric” just last week.
You’ll usually find him at UK renewable events, adorned in loud colours and unsuccessfully trying to keep a low profile.
He has been driving electric since 1813 during the Napoleonic wars… checks notes… sorry 2013, when he imported a Chinese electric moped equivalent to 50cc. Before you knew it, he had seven electric bumblebee choppers. In 2021, he finally made the leap to a 4-wheeled 4-seater car he still drives today – the white rose VW eUP named ‘Yorkshire’.
He converted it into the world’s smallest electric micro campervan, and for his 60th birthday, he drove it 14,000 km across Europe, visiting 33 capital cities in 73 days. Since then, he joined Octopus Energy on a convoy to Berlin for their Octobahn Energy Tech Summit in October 2024 and travelled the whole coast of the UK & Ireland.
Next up, he’ll be driving 30,000km solo around the world in a small electric city car (ideally the Hyundai Inster EV), starting at the Greenwich meridian and travelling east through 80 countries and 5 continents, without a backup or camera crew. The goal? Reaching London for New Year’s Eve, 31st December 2027, after 560 days of car-camping, which should put him in the record books.
Last Saturday, I was honoured to take part in my first London to Brighton EV rally, thanks to EVA England, who ran a competition for a couple of places – one of which I was lucky to win.
This wasn’t technically my first attempt, as I had entered the 2023 really. This happened to be at a time when my car was enjoying a holiday in Exeter to rectify a charging issue. So, when I turned up in a chocolate teapot in the shape of a PHEV Golf e, I couldn’t qualify for the EV rally. While that year the rally went on to Paris, this year some of the participants travelled further afield to Amsterdam. I would have loved to join them, but I was already double-booked to attend the Octopus Energy Tech Summit.
How was it? In short, absolutely amazing! This was the fifth edition of the London to Brighton EV rally, and Harrison and his team ran a slick, professional event from start to finish.
Friday evening featured a meet and greet, which I sadly missed due to the M5 from Somerset doing what it does best: being at an absolute standstill for about 4 hours!
Saturday morning, we all met in the quad of Westminster City School. The BYD Dolphin Surf contingent turned up in style (if there had been an award for marketing, Brandon and his team at BYD UK would have won it!). Other sponsors included Hankook tyres (or tires in some countries) and the ever-cheerful RAC crew, with their bright orange Ford eTransit custom.
This was a perfect opportunity to meet up with fellow drivers: EVA England Chair Warren Philips – who went on to win an efficiency award in his Kia EV3 (if it was a EV5 I need to go to Specsavers), the Chargeheads crew and podcasters Gary (EV Musings) and Rob (RS Thinks), amongst many others. Sustainable Dad Rick did an amazing job of walking the crowd, while Greg from Take It EV and I did a bit of drone filming to get the aerial view.
When we set off at 8am, most drivers had a co-pilot – I didn’t. This disadvantage became immediately apparent as I lost almost everyone within the first 500 meters!
As we crossed Westminster Bridge, the crowds that had camped overnight just to see us rose to their feet and applauded. Ok, I might’ve slightly embellished that part… but as I crossed the bridge, I got confused by all the BYD Dolphin Surfs going in the opposite direction.
Thankfully, it wasn’t long before Brandon in the white lead car caught up with me. I am also very grateful to Driving School 123 for staying with me all the way to the Madeira Drive in Brighton.
Shortly after, we made a quick stop at a health food store as the car in front (or most likely its occupants) needed the loo. Either way – McDonald’s breakfast? Don’t mind if I do!
It was an incredibly hot day – great for battery efficiency, less great as that means you ideally need air conditioning.
I usually avoid it, but this time I caved! Yorkshire, my VW eUP!, still managed a respectable 5.5miles/kw, while all the winners were well over 6! I suspect they didn’t use AC (and made sure to avoid standing too close to them at the after party. Just kidding!)
By the time I arrived in Brighton at 11am, delayed by heavy traffic, I’d missed a few test drives. I still managed to try out:
Whilst I was doing all my test drives, an estimated 30,000 people descended on Madeira Drive, possibly to peer through Yorkshire’s windows and judge how untidy it is. But thankfully, the curtains were closed!
There was, however, plenty more for them to see and do: electric motorbikes, electric push bikes (no one ever pushes them!), face painting, massages, charity stalls including Macmillan, and a VTL BYD DJ. I think there was also a karaoke, though I didn’t hear anyone brave enough.
Alison Ferns did an amazing job, as always, as MC both at the finish line and at the awards ceremony.
At 4pm, we headed down the beachfront to the Brighton i360 for the after-party and the Awards Ceremony. An excellent opportunity to catch up with fellow attendees and EV enthusiasts, and take a 500ft high ride to the summit to see Brighton by night.
All in all, it was an absolutely amazing day! Thank you to EVA England, and the organisers and sponsors of the 2025 London to Brighton EV Rally.
I hope to be back next year. And then, straight into my mammoth adventure: around the world in 80 weeks in an electric city car. 30,000km. 5 continents. 560 days of car camping the whole way!