Electric car Nissan Leaf at the Mongol Rally
NISSAN From Europe to Asia in an electric car: "Plug In Adventures" takes a chance and starts with a Nissan Leaf at the Mongol Rally. This summer, the adventurous long-distance tour will cover some 16,000 kilometers from Great Britain to Mongolia and Siberia. An electric car is taking part for the first time this year. "Plug In Adventures" has developed a new electric car for this challenging [...]
"Plug In Adventures" has chosen the all-electric Nissan Leaf for this ambitious undertaking. The initiative, launched in 2011 by Chris Ramsey, is an association of adventurers and friends of electromobility. Since then, they have been using unusual campaigns to draw attention to alternative drive technology. In September 2015, for example, they drove from the northern to the southern tip of Great Britain and back again in just two days. Only publicly accessible charging stations were used for the nearly 2660-kilometer route.
Only little modified
A Nissan Leaf AT-EV (All Terrain Electric Vehicle) is now competing in the Mongol Rally: The off-road electric car is based on the classic Nissan Leaf Acenta with a 30-kWh battery, giving it a range of up to 250 kilometers per charge. To meet the challenges of long-distance driving, the family sedan has been specifically modified: For better performance off paved roads, the Leaf AT-EV rides on extra-durable wheels and tires. Welded plates under the wishbones, braided brake lines, mud flaps and a six-millimeter-thick aluminum tub guard provide additional safety in rough terrain. On the roof, in addition to a luggage rack, there is a powerful LED spot bar.
Long-haul comfort included
Since this rally is not driven for time, the drivers want as much long-distance comfort as possible. To save weight and create more space, Plug In Adventures has therefore also adapted the interior of the Nissan Leaf in collaboration with British specialists. While everything in the front remained unchanged with the exception of rubber floor mats, the second row of seats was completely removed. This reduces the weight by 32 kilograms. A fire extinguisher and a first aid kit are mounted in the trunk.
Sophisticated
„The Mongol Rally is probably our most challenging drive with an electric car so far, but we are perfectly prepared. The further east we travel, the more we struggle not only with the decreasing number of charging stations, but also with more difficult terrain," explains Chris Ramsey. Ramsey plans to make regular stops to educate people along the route about the benefits of electric cars. "Since the launch of the Leaf in 2010, our customers have driven more than three billion kilometers, which equates to a CO2 saving of more than 500 million kilograms," explains Gareth Dunsmore, Director Electric Vehicles at Nissan Europe. "Few Leaf owners, however, have been as active as 'Plug In Adventures,' demonstrating that electric cars can do more than the daily commute."
For a good cause
The Mongol Rally is a charity drive that leads over mountains as well as through deserts and steppes from Europe to Asia. The rally first started in 2004 and has since raised around five million British pounds (about six million Fr.) for charity. Each team contributes at least 1,000 pounds. The 2017 edition starts on July 16; the destination is the Russian city of Ulan-Ude in southeastern Siberia.
