bp pulse leads the charge at CarFest

We share our highlights from the annual event that celebrated everything from cars to live music—including an EV-powered silent disco

From 25-28 August 2023, bp pulse brought all things electric to CarFest—the annual festival, founded in 2012 by TV presenter, DJ and producer Chris Evans. The event brought visitors together to raise money for UK children’s charities, with a line-up that included fast cars, performances from leading artists, bands and DJs, food demonstrations, and opportunities to meet a host of the nation’s theatre, music and sports legends.

CarFest took place on the 2,500-acre Laverstoke Park Farm in Hampshire—a family-run site, owned by ex-racing driver and 1979 Formula 1 World Champion Jody Scheckter. As proud sponsor, bp pulse brought EV charging to the festival paddock—and an EV-powered silent disco.

bp pulse EV-powered silent disco

For this year's event, we brought along a silent disco powered entirely by electric cars, charged with bp pulse charging points. Four cars were plugged into a silent disco tent, powering lighting, DJ equipment, and headphones, as well as on-site mobile phone charging for festival goers. Over three days, the electric cars supplied approximately 200kWh of power.

bp pulse EV charging

bp pulse made EV charging available for all electric cars taking part in the event, with six portable battery-powered EV chargers.

Community music, sponsored by bp pulse

Also at CarFest was Music Workshop—a community music charity, supported by bp pulse, which provides music lessons, projects and performance opportunities with an emphasis on fun, creativity and inclusivity. Visitors to CarFest could catch a performance from Music Workshop's pupils and teachers, and try their hand at learning a new instrument.

Expect to hear more from Music Workshop in 2023: bp pulse is helping to fund a fully electric bus for the charity, which plans to travel 7,500 miles a year to create memorable live music experiences.

Music, food, and celebrity speakers

Car fans were promised a display of more than 500 models across the festival grounds, as well as track shows providing drivers with the chance to wow the crowds with their skills.

CarFest’s main stage, hosted by Chris Evans, featured a daily programme of performances spanning favourites from the '80s, '90s and noughties, as well as emerging talent—so visitors could dance into the night. 2023’s line-up included Craig David, McFly, and Razorlight, as well as supergroups from Rob Brydon, Sophie Ellis-Bexter and The Feeling. Meanwhile, ‘StarFest’ provided visitors with a chance to go behind the scenes of the worlds of TV, cinema, music, literature, comedy, fashion and more.

For smaller visitors, the 'KidsFest' area offered entertainment from CBBC performers, plus driving taster lessons for under 17s. Elsewhere, 'SpaFest' provided a chance to relax and unwind with activities including forest bathing and mindfulness workshops. For foodies, 'Foodfest' featured a Chef's stage, with a line-up of mouth-watering demonstration from celebrated TV chefs including Angela Hartnett, Atul Kochhar, Bosh! and James Golding.

Who CarFest supports

Since its foundation in 2012, CarFest has raised millions of pounds for UK charities, with 15% of every ticket donated to charity partners. More information can be found on the CarFest website.