November sees the UK host the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, to accelerate action towards climate change goals.
The UK is committed to working with all countries and joining forces with civil society, companies and people on the frontline of climate change to inspire climate action ahead of COP26, where the decarbonisation of transport will be high on the agenda.
The electrification of transport is seen as an integral part to achieving net zero in the UK and there is one event that is set to grab the headlines during the two weeks that world leaders are here.
The EV Rally Of Scotland (EVROS) is a ‘demonstration’ of Scottish EV charging infrastructure, combined with clean and innovative vehicle technology. The idea is to prove that EV use across Scotland, and the rest of the UK, is not just ‘for the odd occasion’ – it can be ‘the norm’.
With renowned thought-leaders, GREENFLEET, behind the event, the plan is to put 20 EVs on the road, during week two of COP26, and set them off from Glasgow, on a five-day, 1200+ mile ‘e-Tour of Scotland’.
The route will take in many of the beautiful landmarks in the country, will visit clean energy projects, including wind farms, solar and hydro projects, as well as a hydrogen refuelling station, but most importantly, it will showcase the charging infrastructure across the region at the same time.
The Rally will feature four ‘Teams’ from innovative vehicle manufacturers that will be key to helping push the UK forward towards 2030, when the ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles comes into force.
Team Maxus will enter 2 x eDeliver 3 medium electric vans, together with 2 x eDeliver 9s, and as the ‘Official Event Logistics Partner’, additional electric vans will be used by GREENFLEET staff, to ‘move the Rally’ around the route. TEAM Kia will showcase the Soul EV, the e-Niro and rumour has it that the new EV6 will make an appearance too. TEAM Polestar represent the premium brand sector, proving that ‘going clean and green does not mean having to compromise on luxury and comfort, with their Polestar 2’s being driven by participants, as well as the EVROS ‘Frontman’, EV adventurer, Chris Ramsey. As the ‘Official Staff Vehicle Partner’, their innovative technology will feature prominently in the event narrative. And the line-up is completed by the ‘New Kids on the EV Block’, TEAM Stellantis. Formed as a coming together of the PSA Peugeot Citroёn Group and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, their 5-vehicle line-up will feature the Peugeot e208, the Citroёn ё-C4, the DS 3 Crossback e-Tense, the Vauxhall Mokka-e and the Fiat 500e.
The AA, supporting EVROS as the ‘Roadside Assistance Partner’ will drive a Polestar 2, with organisation President, Edmund King, OBE, behind the wheel for part of the Rally. They will also have the AA Patrol of the Year following close behind the Rally, on-hand to assist should any of the vehicles encounter a problem. They are joined by renowned leasing specialists, Vanarama, who aim to highlight the ease with which you can bring an electric car, or van, into your everyday family or work life.
The ‘Charging & Innovation Partners’ are SWARCO, who have recently taken control of the management of the ChargePlace Scotland network, together with Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc (MSIP), the newly-formed clean energy park in Dundee. And highlighting the importance of ‘driver style’ and how it can positively effect the range and driver experience will be renowned driver training specialists, DriveTech. ‘EV Keith’ will set the standard to be matched by the drivers, in his Volkswagen ID.3.
The five-day event will unfold across social media platforms, featuring pictures, video and LIVE broadcasts, with Chris Ramsey sharing his knowledge and expertise as we go. As the first man looking to travel from Pole-to-Pole in an EV next year, and with a 10,000-mile Mongul Rally (in an EV) under his belt, there is no better person to share the experiences of EV driving and ownership than Chris. You will be able to follow his, and the Rally’s, progress LIVE, everyday.
The Rally will leave Glasgow and take in EV charge points at key locations (Checkpoints), over the 5 days. Participants will stop at each CP, take a picture (proof) and share it across the various social media platforms, using pre-defined #Hashtags, etc. Other iconic Scottish landmarks, including Gretna Green, Loch Lomond, Ben Nevis, the Isle of Skye, the Highlands (incorporating much of the world-renowned NC500), John O’Groats, Loch Ness, The Kelpies and The Falkirk Wheel will also feature as part of the Rally’s journey.
By the end of the week, the ‘eRally’ will have taken in every corner of Scotland and will have completed more than 1200 ‘e-Miles’. And you can watch the story unfold here and across social media.
Keyword: EV Rally of Scotland set to ‘electrify’ COP26 in November