First EV completes Mongol Rally

Scots couple Chris and Julie Ramsey are the first to finish the Mongol Rally in an EV.

Their modified 2016 30kWh Nissan Leaf Acenta, dubbed the AT-EV (All-Terrain Electric Vehicle), was run under their race name Plug In Adventures.

The Ramseys started at Goodwood Motor Circuit in the United Kingdom on July 16 and travelled 12,874km through 13 countries, charging their car 111 times for less than NZ$181.77 in electricity costs to reach the Siberian finish line on Saturday.

Their Nissan Leaf will be taken by train to Estonia, where the Ramseys will continue the drive back to their hometown of Aberdeen, clocking up more than 16,898km during the trip.

“There were a number of detractors who told me an electric car isn’t capable of long distance journeys,” Chris Ramsey says.

“After thousands of miles and almost zero problems, I can tell you that is not the case.

“We’ve travelled through countless countries using just battery power and zero emissions. I’m elated, ecstatic, a bit exhausted, but also completely electrified!”

Throughout Europe, the Ramseys used an extensive rapid charger network providing an 80% battery charge in 30 minutes.

However, once they got into Bulgaria and beyond, they had to use 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 a power pylon in the middle of the Siberian woods.

Both enjoyed goodwill in every country, only paying for electricity at a handful of chargers.

“One example that sticks out was when we turned up at a Nissan dealer in Russia at 2am,” Chris says. “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.

“In terms of vehicle reliability, the car’s been brilliant. We’ve had one puncture, one damaged alloy wheel, a mud flap came off and someone stole one of our stickers.”

During the journey, the Plug In Adventures team promoted the benefits of running an all-electric vehicle.

Chris participated in a series of panel discussions at the Astana International Exposition on “Future Energy”, where the Leaf was also displayed.

The team tackled the Transfăgărășan Highway in Romania – a winding mountain pass that provided a healthy amount of regenerative braking in the car’s B-mode.

The longest stretch the couple did on a single charge with their fully loaded vehicle was 185km (the car’s range is put at 250km), pulling in to charge with 6% capacity left.

On average, the Ramseys were logging 152km between charges, keeping enough spare battery power in case they needed to find an alternate source.

The AT-EV was fitted with Speedline SL2 Marmora wheels for better performance on unsealed roads, with welded plates under the wishbones, braided brake lines, mudflaps and a 6mm aluminium sump guard for protection.

A modified roof rack included a Lazer Triple-R 16 LED light bar to produce 16,400 lumens of supplementary low-voltage forward lighting during the remotest parts of the trip.

Interior modifications focused on reducing weight and providing more storage space.

Started in 2004, the Mongol Rally run by The Adventurists is a charity drive with each team expected to raise at least NZ$1817.

Participants must use a small, sub-1.0-litre car, and there’s no on the road backup.