The first British Motor Show organised by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) was held at Crystal Palace, London in 1903. It subsequently moved to Olympia in London, where it was held each year for 32 years. From 1937 until 1976 it was held at Earl's Court in London, before moving to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham in 1978. The NEC hosted the show every other year until the last show there in May 2004. The 2004 show was moved from the traditional October date to May to avoid conflicting with the other two major autumn motor shows in Frankfurt and Paris.[2] In 2006 the motor show was returned to London, taking place at ExCeL in London Docklands.

The 2008 British International Motor Show was held at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre in London's Docklands from 23 July-3 August.

The organisers of this year's British International Motor Show, were 'charged up' about their all-new showcase of the latest electric vehicle models. The Electric Vehicle Village brings together one of the largest collections of zero-emissions vehicles ever seen in the UK, with a display of more than 20 vehicles which are propelled solely by battery power.

The auto show follows a trend seen recently in the United States, with small companies unveiling high-priced, high-performance electric cars. The Lightning Car Company, for instance, unveiled the Lightning GT, which incorporates quick-charging lithium titanate batteries from Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc. into a body made from carbon fiber and Kevlar composites. The Lightning GTS employs in-wheel motors to accelerate to 60 miles per hour in less than 4 seconds. The company is taking orders for 2009 delivery, but it is not yet advertising a price for the vehicle.