After a 12 year absence, the British Motor Show will be held in August 2020 at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre and there will be a big focus on EVs and future technology

The last British Motor Show took place at London’s Excel in 2008 and was staged by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Taking up the baton for 2020 is Andy Entwistle, former MD of an automotive media agency and responsible for organising the London Motor and Tech Show last year, where Discover EV was invited as a guest on the EV panel.

The British Motor Show will be held between the 20 and 23 of August and claims to tick the box of every car enthusiast with three main themes – past, present and future – spanning from 1920 to 2030. That means there will be halls dedicated to all the best that the manufacturers currently have to offer, a peak into the future and some amazing classics. 

Andy Entwistle, Chief Executive of the British Motor Show, told Discover EV: “We did some research ahead of the show and it revealed that the majority of visitors wanted to see hybrid, with EV cars coming third behind petrol and diesel vehicles, and lastly technology. What that shows is that people are interested in moving away from fossil fuels but still wary of transitioning over to EVs and we want to change that. We have recognised that there must be a bigger focus on tech and we want to get consumers into alternatively fuelled cars. If we get them in the vehicles, they are much more likely to buy.”

Making a comeback at its new south of England home, the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre boasts 40,000 square feet across five halls and includes a live stage with celebrity appearances. Outside there is a four acre display area and a 13,000 square feet arena. With more than 50,000 expected visitors from the UK and overseas, future technology will be a major part in the relaunched event and the Motor Show.  

AFC Energy, a provider of hydrogen power generation technologies, has announced its blue-ribbon partnership with the British Motor Show 2020 as the event's Official EV Charging Partner. Offering rapid charging capability to several leading automotive manufacturers showcasing their vehicles at the show's co-hosted EV Zone and a unique Alternative Drive experience (Ade) it aims to offer consumers the largest gathering of alternatively fuelled vehicles in the UK giving them the opportunity to explore, test drive and buy at the show.

One of the halls will be dedicated to technology together with a theatre, which will provide a platform for suppliers and experts in the automotive infrastructure, safety, autonomous driving and AI, and next generation battery and hydrogen fuel cell sectors. Each of the specialists will be hosting 20 minute masterclasses, together with demonstrations, Q&A sessions and open debates.

Tickets will cost £18.50 each while a family ticket will set you back £37, check the website for updates and to book: http://thebritishmotorshow.live/.

Andy concluded our interview by saying: “We are very excited to be partnering with a home-grown British tech company as we deliver a world class motoring experience to the UK next year. There are lots of specialist events out there for people who have already bought into EVs, but we are catering for everyone whether they have an interest in classics, modern cars or future mobility solutions. Welcome to the revolution, it’s going to be an amazing show next year!”

Dates for your diary: 2020

For second consecutive month, alternatively fuelled vehicles have reached a record market share of 10.2 per cent. While there is still a long way to go for electric vehicles to become mainstream 2020 will see manufacturers introducing plenty of new models to give buyers even more choice, and on the back of that there’s lots of exciting events to look forward to as well. If you think we have missed something, submit your suggestion to us at [email protected]. 

20-21 January

International Conference on Environmentally-Friendly Vehicles and Energy Efficiency

Brings together leading academic scientists, researchers and research scholars to exchange and share their experiences and research results on all aspects of environmentally friendly vehicles and energy efficiency. 

Hotel Novotel London, Wembley, UK

https://waset.org/environmentally-friendly-vehicles-and-energy-efficiency-conference-in-january-2020-in-london

25–26 March

EV INFRASTRUCTURE SUMMIT 2020

The second edition of the EV Infrastructure Summit will focus on the opportunities and challenges involved in establishing a UK-wide charging infrastructure as part of the transition to zero emission vehicles. 

Hogan Lovells International LLP, Atlantic House, Holborn Viaduct, London

https://www.cityandfinancialconferences.com

26 March

Battery Tech Expo

Brings together pioneers, innovators, OEMs, industry heads and academics to accelerate the disruptive shift to a more sustainable future

Silverstone, The Wing, Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire, UK

https://www.batterytechexpo.co.uk/

28-30 April

The Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo in Stuttgart

Co-located with The Battery Show, this is the industry’s largest and fastest-growing trade fair for H/EV and advanced battery technology for manufacturers, engineers and purchasers

Messe Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany

https://www.evtechexpo.eu/en/Home.html

24 May

Simply Electric

A brand new event showcasing fully electric cars and plug-in hybrids, as well as electric motorcycles and e-bikes

National Motor Musuem, Beaulieu, Hampshire, UK

https://www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/simply-electric/ 

24–26 July

Electric and Hybrid Motor Show

Key event for the electric and hybrid vehicle industry with 400 vehicles exhibited, a test centre, electric race cars and conferences
Vanoise National Park, Val d'Isère, French Alps

http://salon-vehicule-electrique.com/

30th & 31st October - 1st November

Fully Charged LIVE

Returning for its third year Fully Charged LIVE promises to be even more epic having outgrown its launch venue. A fun-filled festival with dozens of live sessions hosted by the Fully Charged team, more than 150 exhibitors and thousands of test drives.

Farnborough International

https://fullycharged.show/events/fully-charged-live-2020/

18-19 November

CENEX LOW CARBON VEHICLE (CENEX-LCV2020) AND CONNECTED AUTOMATED MOBILLITY (CENEX-CAM2020) EVENT

Distinguished speakers, extensive seminar programme and cutting-edge vehicle technology, as well as new innovations, products and initiatives. A fantastic opportunity to share practical insights, industry knowledge and network

Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedfordshire
To keep up to date with Cenex’s events, visit cenex-lcv.co.uk or cenex-cam.co.uk, and to register your interest go to https://mailchi.mp/51915445778f/cenex-events2020

26-27 November

Everything EV LIVE London

Brings together local authorities and government, fleet owners and transport authorities, commercial real estate owners, utilities and DNOs to drive collaboration, innovation and create new partnerships in the EV space

The Chelsea Harbour Hotel, Fulham, London
https://ev.solarenergyevents.com/

02-03 December

Vehicle Electrification Expo

Display of powertrain technology for hybrid and electric vehicles from light electric vehicles and passenger cars through to industrial and agricultural vehicles

NAEC Stoneleigh, Coventry

https://10times.com/vehicle-electrification-expo

19-22 August 2021

British Motor Show

The iconic show is coming back, with a new format and a new location there will be a big focus on future tech and EVs, check the website for updates but in the meantime see our pre-show report

Farnborough International Expo Centre, Hampshire

http://thebritishmotorshow.live/