Dubai to Host Finale of 2018 Electric Vehicle Road Trip

The fleet of electric vehicles, including a trio of Chevrolet Bolt EVs, a BMW i3 and Tesla X and S models, will arrive at the eco-friendly residential development for the grand finale event, where there will be a range of family-friendly activities on offer, as well as the free to attend e-Mobility Showcasing Day.

The special one-off event will also give the public a chance to mingle with the drivers and passengers who made the journey, including race car legend Doug Hebert, Chris Ramsay the first person to complete the Mongol Rally in an Electric Vehicle and Alex Hirschi, the Australian motoring personality more commonly known as Supercar Blondie.

Open to the public, the event will celebrate the huge advances made in sustainable, low emission and environmentally friendly technologies, giving attendees the chance to find out more about the technology that has powered the convoy across desert landscapes, down twisting mountain roads and along picturesque coastal drives.

The e-Mobility Showcasing Day will also appeal to the whole family with a host of activities planned, including the chance to get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle, with Chevrolet Bolt EV and Tesla models available to test drive.

Children can also drive their own mini electric cars in the UAE’s first-ever Kids Electric Vehicle Race. The eco-friendly racers of the future will be able to battle it out on the track, with three lucky participants getting the chance to take home their very own electric vehicle at the end of the day.

There will also be a range of wider activities for kids of all ages to get involved, from rock climbing to face painting, flower planting to arts and craft stalls as well as a giant bouncy castle.

A series of workshops will answer the most pressing questions related to the latest generation of electric vehicles; namely how they work, how often they need to be charged, how far they can travel, how comfortable they are, the closest charging stations and a glimpse into the future of mobility.

Experts will also be on hand to explain the realities and advantages of buying and owning a petrol-free car as opposed to a traditional fossil fuel powered vehicle, including Emirates NBD who will explain the variety of great financing deals available to electric vehicle owners as part of the bank’s innovative Green Auto Loans scheme.

In addition, a wide range of environmentally-friendly homewares and appliances, recycled art and fashion will be set-up at Dubai’s first Sustainability Marketplace, while tours will be held off The Sustainable City so the public can get a closer look at what life in the UAE’s first net-zero energy villa community looks like.

Ben Pullen, Managing Director of Global EVRT said: “While the 2018 Electric Vehicle Road Trip is about showcasing the vehicles that are set to revolutionize the way we travel, it is also inextricably linked to the incredible eco-friendly technologies that are changing the way we live.

“By making the journey in low carbon-emission vehicles we hoped to have driven home the message that protecting the environment is an essential part of our future and something we can all play our part in through the choices we make as consumers and citizens of the world.”

Karim El Jisr, Executive Director, SEE NEXUS Institute said: “We are delighted to host the e-Mobility Showcasing Day and the Grand Finale of the 2018 edition of the Electric Vehicle Road Trip Middle East. Both events fit perfectly with The Sustainable City’s ethos of encouraging the adoption of innovative environmental technologies in all walks of life.

“We look forward to welcoming the drivers, passengers and officials from the EVRT as well as members of the public and hopefully encouraging as many people as possible to lead a more eco-conscious life through the way they travel, the food they eat, clothes they wear and the decisions they make every day.”