SUNNYSIDEUP
Achieving Verne’s dream without impact
The ZERO Race gets under way in which competitors plan to go around the world in 80 days with zero emission vehicles.
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ules Verne’s dream to go around the world in 80 days became a reality a long time ago, but is it possible to make a tour around the world in 80 days with emission-free vehicles? Four Teams from three continents have taken up the challenge. On 16 August they have started in the United Nations Palace in Geneva with their electric cars on the longest and greenest race of all time: the ZERO Race. The race is organised by Louis Palmer, the first man to drive a solar powered vehicle around the world. Now the Swiss solar pioneer is starting an even bigger challenge.
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In 2008, Mr. Palmer, the winner of the European Solar Prize, made headlines worldwide with his “Solartaxi”, when the 38-year old solar pioneer drove across 38 countries and covered more than 54,000 kilometers in 18 months in a car powered by solar energy. The trip raised awareness about renewable energy and climate change to more than 770 million people
worldwide. Now Mr. Palmer is initiating the first emission-free race around the world and has caught the interest of companies, governments and environmental pioneers.
Teams from four continents will compete. Australia: Team TREV Switzerland: Team Zerotracer Germany: Team Vectrix South Korea: Team Powerplaza
All teams have developed a hi-tech electric vehicle especially for the ZERO Race. The Race is going to be a competition for the latest electric
vehicle technology. “With this race we want to show, that seven billion people on this planet need renewable energy and clean mobility“, says Louis Palmer. “Petrol is running out, and the climate crisis is coming… and we are all in running against time.”
The ZERO Race is not only about speed, but also about other judgment criteria that include reliability, energy efficiency, utility to every day life, design and safety. Each team is obliged to power their vehicle by renewable energy, by feeding electricity into the grid in their home country from sources such as solar, wind or others.
Start with a Tour d’Europe
After the start in Geneva, the ZERO Race will cross Switzerland. The way leads to Brussels, Berlin, Vienna, Moscow and Shanghai. The cars will then travel by ship to Vancouver, and from there onward continue along the west coast of North America all the way to Cancun, Mexico, where they will be put on show at the United Nations Climate Conference to inspire the world leaders to take action. In December, the vehicles will be shipped again to Portugal, and traverse southwest Europe to complete the final leg of the global journey. After 80 days of travel time en route, 30,000 kilometres through 16 countries and 150 city stopovers for press events, the ZERO Race will be completed at the end of January in 2011, in Geneva, Switzerland.
The ZERO Race is a “green” event all the way, and any unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions it may create, including the shipping of cars and flights by participants, will be compensated by investments into renewable energy projects through myclimate.
“The success of ZERO Race depends on the number of people inspired to take action towards a sustainable way of life,” adds Louis Palmer. “Growing traffic and environmental pollution are situations that are just asking for solutions.”
www.solar-pv-management.com Issue VI 2010
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