Around the world in 80 days: Travel in an EV

In a world of growing emissions, critical climate change, and fossil energy dependence, the development of new technologies for vehicles gives us all the chance to use more competitive and energy-efficient transportation. But change is not possible without action. The 80edays Challenge 2012-2016-2020 aims to accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility with the world’s largest and most competitive 100 percent electric car rally around the globe. Get ready for 80 electrifying days that will show that electric cars have already become a driver’s choice with silent, clean, and sustainable power across any country and all types of terrain and climate.

On June 20, 11 international teams, driving 100 percent electric cars to go around the world in 80 days or less, reached Lisbon, Portugal – the finish line of the shortest stage for the European part of the 80edays Electric Vehicle (EV) endurance challenge. Today, the teams completed the America stage with their arrival in LA!

All the EVs have been thoroughly inspected by Dangerous Goods Authority and have been given the green light to pursue the rally. The odometers of each EV were also documented to keep tabs on the total distance covered by teams and the CO2 emission savings compared to fuel dependent cars. At the grand stage set at the Arc de Triomf, Team Spain pilot Rafael de Mestre, the 80edays initiator, added that “the technologies are more than ready to take the steering wheel! Hopefully, our journey increases more awareness for sustainable transport and proves that the electric cars are as good, if not better, than fuel-consuming cars across different conditions and terrains.”

A day before the start of the rally, a press conference was held at Hotel Miramar, Barcelona, where all 11 registered teams – Team Spain, Team Austria, Team China, Team Czech Republic, Team Germany I, Team Germany III, Team Hungary, Team Italia, Team Switzerland I, Team Switzerland II, and Team United States – participated in a “Q&A” session and conducted interviews with the local media. The teams revealed their motivation to change the way we think of transport and sustainability and how EV technology is mature enough to spearhead the automotive industry.

Participants are looking forward to arriving in Los Angeles on July 8 and moving on to China, then back to Europe to complete the rally by September 4. Teams have the option to take a free ride from Astana (Kazakhstan) to Bucharest (Romania).

The diversity in ELDURO is commendable, and the leading choice for teams is Tesla Motors. One Tesla Roadster, the first fully-electric sports car, and 8 Tesla Model S, the luxury sedan, are the EVs of choice of some of the strongest teams in the challenge.

Tesla, however, is not the only electric car representing the power of modern EV-technologies; DENZA, the Sino-German joint venture brand built in China, is also up for the challenge. The team captain, Andrew Yi Zong, CEO of PHNIX ECO-Energy Solutions and one of the 80edays ambassadors, is driving one of the best electric cars from Asia, recently showcased at the Beijing Auto Show 2016.

Innovative Modulo composite electric bus, developed by evopro, is definitely one of the big stories of 80edays. It is the first electric bus built in Hungary, and has been praised for its mechanics that can handle long-haul trips. Built for urban and suburban use, it’s already proving doubters wrong by taking a strong start in the rally.

80edays is on a mission to prove that the EV technology is ready to become a driver’s first choice with its eco-sustainable outlook and infrastructure. The rally organizers, ambassadors, and partners are joining hands, in a bid to offset the greenhouse impact generated from the event. A cooperation on a carbon-offset reforestation project with myclimate, the 80edays official eco-partner, is highlighting the critical social issues that are emerging as a result of increased pollution and rapid deforestation.

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