FSEW is preparing to welcome rally participants to its Cardiff eFreight Hub on 21 October to kick off the EV Rally Cymru. Fresh from taking part in the Mythbusters EV Rally this summer, David Winstone shares some advice on driving electric on Welsh roads

FSEW recently took part in the Mythbusters EV Rally, and scored highest in efficiency on the Trucks & Trailers route. How was the team’s experience?

We found it really easy for us since we’ve been driving lorries for years. We’re used to covering long distances, so range anxiety doesn’t really affect us the way it might for people who aren’t used to taking their EVs on long trips. Honestly, it was just another day for us.

The EV Rally Cymru is taking place next month and we are delighted that you are hosting the start line at your eFreight Hub in Cardiff. Please tell us about this facility and what can teams expect there?

Teams can look forward to rapid 480kW chargers, which are the first in Wales and some of the fastest available in the market right now. Alongside a parking area where no vehicle is too big to fit comfortably, it’s a very friendly, welcoming space with great facilities to grab a cup of tea and use the restrooms while you wait.

Being a Welsh freight company, you must know the country’s roads well. Are there any aspects of the EV rally that you expect will be challenging for teams? If so, what advice would you give?

Driving through Wales can be a bit tricky since there aren't many motorways, just lots of A-roads, winding country lanes, changing speed limits, and a few low bridges. It’s definitely less straightforward than driving in most of England, which also has more places to charge right now.

My best advice: make sure to plan. With electric trucking, you have to plan ahead. Before you set off, punch your lorry's exact dimensions into the satnav so you don't get caught out by those low bridges (most newer lorries let you adjust these dimension settings easily). Take your time and don't rush. Another big tip is to pick the right driving mode for the terrain. If the speed limit is 50mph or less, stick to ‘range’ or ‘economy’ mode rather than ‘power’. Finally, use cruise control whenever you can; it saves power and will squeeze more miles out of your charge for the route.

The EV Rally is aiming to bust some EV myths and misinformation this year – is there a particular EV myth you would like to address?

Definitely the myth of range anxiety. A lot of the older generation don’t want to change and prefer to stick with diesel, but there's actually so much more infrastructure out there now. The hardest part is really just finding a place to plug in, rather than the journey itself.

And finally, please tell us about FSEW’s future plans – any exciting developments on the horizon?

I’ve been told we’re looking to extend our EV fleet. We currently have 20, and we will be growing that up to 70 in the next three years. Getting the yard set up with high-power chargers has been our biggest achievement so far, and we’re excited to start welcoming other businesses to come and use our new charging site.

The next stage is to achieve an additional 3 megawatts of power and a further 8 high-powered chargers, which will be a further investment of up to £3 million. Additionally, FSEW will be closely monitoring the rise of autonomous trucks.

Anything else to say to the drivers participating in the EV Rally Cymru?

Good luck and enjoy it! Take your time and make the most of the journey. Remember, the more careful you are with your driving, the more battery you’ll save, and the further you can go.