https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/4454235/brit-couple-mongol-rally-electric-car/ BRIGHT SPARKS Brit couple become the first to complete Mongol Rally in an electric car – charging at shops along the way 13th September 2017 James Cox
[images https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/nintchdbpict000352654129.jpg Chris and Julie Ramsey became the first couple to complete the Mongol rally in an electric car https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/nintchdbpict000352654376.jpg Chris and Julie had the use of an extensive rapid charger network which can provide an 80 per cent battery charge in just 30 minutes https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/nintchdbpict000352654140.jpg In total the pair will clock up more than 10,500 miles during the trip https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/nintchdbpict000352654149.jpg The Nissan LEAF also proved a trusty companion, suffering just one puncture and one damaged alloy wheel along the way https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/nintchdbpict000352654134.jpg On average Chris and Julie were logging 95 miles between charges ] A Scottish couple have become the first people to complete the Mongol Rally in an all-electric vehicle after relying on cafes, hotels and BARBERSHOPS to recharge on the way. Chris and Julie Ramsey, aka Plug In Adventures, crossed the finish line in Ulan-Ude on Saturday in their modified 2016 Nissan LEAF after travelling 8,000 miles through 13 countries to reach Siberia. They charged their car 111 times for less than £100 in electricity costs en route, but were forced to get creative with their charge points once they reached Eastern Europe. For the first leg of the journey Chris and Julie had the use of an extensive rapid charger network which can provide an 80 per cent battery charge in just 30 minutes. However, once they got into Bulgaria and beyond, they faced a dwindling number of rapid charge options and instead turned to a variety of alternatives for electric power. These included bars, cafes, hotels, hostels, a barbershop, a post office, garages, car dealerships, a tractor showroom, a police station, and three fire stations in Russia. They even had a trained electrician plug their LEAF directly into an electricity pylon in the middle of the woods in Siberia. Their Nissan LEAF will now join other Mongol Rally entrants’ vehicles on a cargo train back across the continent to Estonia, where Chris and Julie will continue the drive back to their hometown of Aberdeen, a further 2,500 miles. In total the pair will clock up more than 10,500 miles during the trip. Chris Ramsey said: “There were a number of detractors who told me an electric car isn’t capable of long-distance journeys. “Well after thousands of miles and almost zero problems, I can tell you that is not the case. “This has been the absolute trip of a lifetime and I can’t believe we’re now at the finishing line. “We’ve travelled through countless countries using just battery power and zero emissions. I’m elated, ecstatic, a bit exhausted, but also completely electrified!” Chris and Julie enjoyed the goodwill of people in every country they travelled through, only paying for electricity at a handful of charges. Rarely did anyone turn down the team’s request to plug in their car and on top of that they were frequently offered drinks, food and even accommodation for the night. Ramsey added: “We’ve been shown some of the best hospitality we could have hoped for. “It’s certainly changed our perspective of how we should behave when we get home. “One example that sticks out was when we turned up at a Nissan dealer in Russia at 2am. “There was a chap waiting for us and he plugged our car in securely in the workshop, then led us into the showroom where he gave us tea, food and comfy sofas to sleep on.” The Nissan LEAF also proved a trusty companion, suffering just one puncture and one damaged alloy wheel along the way. Whilst on the journey, the Plug In Adventures team was keen to promote the benefits of running an all-electric vehicle and they found interest in the car and their journey in all the countries they visited. Chris was even invited to take part in a series of panel discussions at the Astana International Exposition, bringing the 2017 theme, ‘Future Energy’, to life. The LEAF AT-EV was also put on display at the expo. The team also tackled some of Europe and Asia’s amazing roads including the Transfăgărășan Highway in Romania. The longest stretch the couple did on a single charge with their fully loaded vehicle was 115 miles, pulling in to charge with six per cent capacity left. On average Chris and Julie were logging 95 miles between charges, keeping enough spare battery power once they got to the charging locations in case they needed to find an alternate energy source. Julie Ramsey said: “This has been a trip of a lifetime. “We’ve eaten unusual foods, slept in weird locations and even travelled on a cargo ship. “We’ve met the most amazing people and been overwhelmed by both the generosity and the interest in our electric adventure. “I’d say this trip probably isn’t for everyone. “It’s certainly been challenging at times. “However, the experiences we’ve had and the people we’ve met along the way has been priceless. “I think we’d do it all over again in an instant!” [© News Group Newspapers] For EVLN EV-newswire posts use: http://evdl.org/evln/ {brucedp.neocities.org} -- Sent from: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/ _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org Read EVAngel's EV News at http://evdl.org/evln/ Please discuss EV drag racing at NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
