AN Aberdeenshire man will make history this weekend when he becomes the first person to enter the 10,000-mile Mongol Rally in an electric vehicle (EV).
Chris Ramsey and his wife Julie will start their journey on Sunday in their Nissan Leaf – joining more than 300 other petrol or diesel cars – from Goodwood Racecourse to Ulan-Ude in Siberia, via Mongolia.
At the same time they will raise funds for environmental group WWF Scotland.
The rally is now in its 13th year of thundering across the mountains, deserts and steppes of Europe and Asia. There is no back-up, no support and no set route; just each team, their fellow adventurers and a small car. Ramsey is passionate about EVs and is no stranger to challenges – he has already taken part in several rallies, including John O’Groats to Land’s End, London to Monte Carlo and Scotland’s North Coast 500, all completed in an EV. He founded Plug In Adventures in 2011, combining his passion for adventure and electric vehicles. It comprises a group of electric vehicle enthusiasts based in Scotland, and is aimed at engaging with people in unique and different ways, to champion all things EV-related.
“This is a really exciting challenge and I’m hoping it will dispel many of the myths about electric vehicles and their efficiency,” he said.
“I’m passionate about raising awareness of EVs and the important role they are playing now, and will do in the future, in reducing our carbon emissions. “I’m also delighted to be raising funds for WWF Scotland, a charity I support for the work it does in providing solutions to environmental problems both at home and abroad.”
On a rally without a defined route or limitations, the Ramseys plan to do voluntary work while driving through countries such as Kazakhstan and Mongolia.
Sam Gardner, acting director of WWF Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Chris as he undertakes this world first. “EVs are the way forward and we’re calling on the Scottish Government to clean up the transport sector by phasing out the sale of new fossil fuel cars by 2030 to reduce emissions, clean up air pollution and improve the nation’s health."
He added: “We wish Chris and Julie the best of luck and thank them for choosing to raise funds for us so we can continue our work in Scotland.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here