The regular Nissan Leaf can barely travel over 100 miles on a single charge, but Plug In Adventures has created a specially modified Nissan Leaf that will be the first all-electric car to enter the Mongol Rally. The modified Nissan Leaf will travel 10,000 miles from the UK to Mongolia this summer.
To be able to make the treacherous journey, the Leaf AT-EV (All Terrain Electric Vehicle) has been upgraded with Speedline SL2 Marmora wheels and Maxsport RB3 narrow tires, welded plates to the underside of the wishbones, braided brake lines, mudflaps and a 6 mm aluminum sump guard.
Inside the Leaf AT-EV’s updates focus on reducing weight and providing more storage space, like the removal of the rear seats. The driver and front passenger area are unmodified apart from the addition of rubber floor mats, but a Fire Extinguisher and Medi Kit have added in the trunk.
Luckily the race is untimed, since the Leaf will take quite a while to complete the 10,000 mile journey.
Related: Nissan just made it easier to drive from Boston to Washington D.C. in a Leaf
“The Mongol Rally is our most challenging electric vehicle drive to date, but it’s one we’ve been planning for a number of years,” said Chris Ramsey, founder of Plug In Adventures. “Not only will we face a dwindling number of EV chargers the farther east we go, the terrain also becomes more difficult to navigate. Using a Nissan Leaf for this was an obvious decision. I’m familiar with the car; it’s always been reliable and dependable for me, and it has the largest network of rapid charging options in Europe. As it will also accept a 240v Commando connection even in the remote areas when my fast-charge options are gone, I can still charge the battery and keep moving. This journey is about the travel experience, though – not reaching the destination in a fast time. I can’t wait to get out on the road and introduce more people to the advantages of electric vehicles, whatever country they’re from.”
Source: Nissan
