- After becoming the first electric car to complete the Dakar rally, it blazed a new trail by completing a European rally that is a qualifier for the FIA World Rallycross Championship
- Drivers Andrea Peterhansel and Emma Clair once again evidenced that a non-polluting vehicle can hold its own at the highest level of motor racing
ACCIONA 100% EcoPowered has crossed the finish line of the final stage of the Italian Baja rally, held between 15 and 18 June on a route measuring 800 kilometres in north-west Italy. For the first time, a 100% electric vehicle has completed an event that is a qualifier for the FIA World Rallycross Championship.
ACCIONA's zero-emissions car, driven this time by Andrea Peterhansel and Emma Clair, ended the race in 11th place out of a total field of 39 in its category, after battling the tough gravel terrain that makes the Italian Baja one of the most exciting events in the calendar.
Andrea Peterhansel and Emma Clair are seasoned competition drivers. Peterhansel has participated in the Dakar rally ten times in a range of formats, while Clair is Bajas TT world champion in quad. In the position of technical director is Ariel Jatón, who trained the drivers in the vehicle in which he made history by crossing the Dakar 2017 finish line.
Andrea Peterhansel: 'It's a source of pride to have completed this rally in a zero-emissions vehicle, evidencing the capabilities of more sustainable models.' Jatón: 'We are pioneers once again, with the added boost of having gone toe-to-toe with the other participants.'
ACCIONA 100% Ecopowered's participation in the Italian Baja evidences ACCIONA's continuing focus on non-polluting renewable energy over fossil fuels at the top level of motor racing. With this new sustainable challenge, the company is fulfilling its goal of lending visibility to the fight against climate change, as enshrined in the Paris Agreement.
The vehicle's electronic systems, which came through the recent Dakar with flying colours, were upgraded before this strenuous competition.
ACCIONA 100% EcoPowered is the outcome of over five years of research and development work spearheaded by ACCIONA's R&D and Innovation Department. Built entirely in Spain, in the Barcelona town of Vilanova del Vallés, EcoPowered is the most powerful electric car in the world, with a 250 kW synchronous electric motor, equivalent to 340 horsepower. The car is powered by six ultra-fast charging lithium battery modules plus a 100 W solar panel.
