Renault is poised to spark yet more interest in zero-tailpipe-emission transport as its ZOE supermini drives an arduous 2,000 miles around the UK in just 17 days.
Organised by leading charging infrastructure provider, POD Point, ‘Charging around the UK’ (CATUK) sees Renault as the main sponsor of a new UK charging tour. Kicking off on 12 June in London, the tour will take in 15 towns and cities, as well as several corners of the UK, including John O’Groats and Lands End, before finishing up in key green city, Brighton. Along the way, it will be using a variety of charging sources and locations, ranging from gyms, residential, supermarkets, petrol stations.
Renault is not only supplying one ZOE for the tour, it is also displaying one at the launch site, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!, in the heart of Piccadilly. It will will also host four events of its own. Through its dealerships, the innovative French brand will be laying on entertainment and activities in Bath (21 June), Bristol (22), Cardiff (20) and Newcastle (13). ZOE will also be taking to BBC Top Gear’s infamous Dunsfold track en route. Minus the Stig. Capping it all is the chance to win a tour of the Red Bull Racing team’s Formula 1 HQ in Buckinghamshire, through a Facebook competition which has recently launched. Full details are available at the following link: CATUK Competition
Stylish, refined and compatible with power sources right up to 43kW, through its patented Chameleon charger, ZOE was the ideal choice for the journey. Its standard-fit fast-charging capability, allowing up to 80% charge in only 30 minutes, should also prove a boon for the occasional quick top-up.
Commenting on its involvement, Renault UK’s Ben Fletcher, Product Manager, Electric Vehicle Programme, said,
“We’re pleased to be supporting the Charging around the UK campaign. ZOE has the longest range of any affordable, mass market electric vehicle. It’s quiet, refined and nippy too, so it’s the perfect companion for such a long road trip. The average supermini covers 8,000 miles in a year, so for ZOE to be tackling a quarter of this distance in just two weeks, will show just how viable it is as an alternative to fossil-fuelled transport.”
Conceived to prove that electric vehicles can slot simply into everyday lives, the tour’s aim is to educate the British public that top-up charging is broadly similar to powering other battery operated items, like a laptop or mobile phone. Along the way POD Point will be breaking world records, cooking with a Michelin starred chef, and racing down mountains while they charge.
Erik Fairbairn, Founder of POD Point added,
“With CATUK we’re showing that EV drivers need not fear range anxiety, as they can build up their own unique POD Point charging chain. By choosing the location of their charging points, they don’t need to alter their daily routine, which is great for their travel plans. My vision is to install a POD Point wherever you park your electric car, by building an extensive network of Pod Chains we’re eliminating range anxiety.”
Source; Renault
