Electric rally car to take on Finke
One of the most hard-core EVs ever made is set to take on the Finke Desert RaceIt's touted as the first zero-emissions vehicle to complete the Dakar Rally and now Acciona's Spanish-built EV rally racer is taking on the 2018 Finke Desert Race, which runs over June 8-11 from Alice Springs.
The Spanish-built EV rally car has an unusual name, the Acciona 100% EcoPowered, matched by an unusual propulsion system -- a potent 250kW/800Nm synchronous electric motor.
Riding on big 245/85 R16 rally tyres and fitted with serious fully regulated nitrogen gas-filled hydraulic suspension, the first EV rally car to take on Finke is built take a pounding.
We asked the man who oversaw the building of the car and runs the Jaton Racing team, Ariel Jaton, why he decided to enter the EV rally into the Finke Desert race.
"This car has competed around the world, in Dakar, Italy and Morocco. Australia has a great car culture and a tough rally in the Finke, so we really wanted to see what it could do here."
It won't be an easy task for the Spanish team at Finke, with the likes of five-times winner Toby Price attempting to snaffle a 'Finke Double' by winning the car and motorcycle categories.
"We’re really proud and very excited to be the first electric car to be in the Finke," said Jaton.
"It’s something new for everyone involved, and of course we've spent a lot of time making sure that our car, which is compliant with FIA-ASO regulations, also meets local standards here for the race," he said.
The EV rally car will be piloted by a pair of female drivers, Andrea Peterhansel – the wife of Dakar legend Stephane and a Dakar regular herself -- and Emma Clair, who make their Aussie racing debut at Finke after racing at the 2017 Baja Italia rally in the rugged EV.
The quieter-than-usual EV rally car runs eight lithium-ion battery modules and has a 100Wh photovoltaic solar panel on the roof to top up its energy reserves.
Jaton says the brawny EV rally car is the result of five years of development and shows that motorsport could easily go down the EV path.
He said his career highlight was seeing the EV finish the Dakar Rally and is confident there's a bright future for EV motorsport categories, such as Formula E.
But how about an E-Rally Championship in the future? Jaton reckons it's entirely possible.
"Yes, I think we could – and then eventually years from now it may just become the normal rally championship as today's petrol-powered cars are phased out."
"I guess it's early days for EV motorsport, and the transition will take time, but in the medium to long-term future, this will be where the action is because increased investment and technological change will drive it all forward," said Jaton.
"We are seeing a big move to renewable energy around the world – not just in motorsports, but in consumer vehicles, and everyday life beyond that too.
“Companies like Tesla have captured people's imagination and with our 100% EcoPowered car we are playing our own small part in this massive change."
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