Max Adventure completes 5,109-km drive across 16 countries using all-electric Kia EV6

MANILA: The Max Adventure team finished the Driven To Extremes Euro EV Marathon in a fully electric Kia EV6 Air, traveling from Oslo, Norway to Portugal in just 3.75 days, exceeding their target and adding another country to their itinerary.

The marathon, which covered 5,109km and 16 countries in a little over 89 hours, was intended to demonstrate how easy it is to travel long distances in a short time with a standard electric vehicle and existing charging infrastructure. The trip began with the team being sent off from the Kia's Norwegian headquarters in Oslo, and it ended with Kia Portugal in Lisbon welcoming the adventurers.

The Driven to Extremes Euro EV Marathon was inspired by the expedition that Sir Striling Moss undertook in 1952. The renowned racer and three of his “fast friends” traveled to 15 European countries in less than five days as a promotional stunt to support the then-new Humber Super Sniper sedan.

The Max Adventure team was able to beat Sir Stirling Moss’ record by 47 minutes. This is reportedly the first attempt at the route in a fully electric vehicle. The team arrived in Lisbon on September 9 to observe World EV Day.

The team made the most of the Kia EV6 Air's impressive range and 800V rapid-charging technology, as well as Kia Charge, to cut the travel time. The Kia Charge service makes it convenient to recharge electric vehicles by providing access to more than 400,000 public chargers across Europe with a single account and a single RFID card. With this , the team had access to rapid charging stations along its route, allowing them to leave each stop and resume driving as soon as possible. The rapid charging technology of the EV6 was crucial to the team's time record.

“This wasn’t about trying to beat Sir Stirling, but demonstrate that mammoth trans-continental drives in an EV can easily be undertaken here and now in 2022. Many people still view EVs as ineffective or unable to cope as a daily means of transport outside of city life, but the Kia EV6, and the charging network show that just isn’t true,” Driven To Extremes Euro EV Marathon Project Leader Mac Mackenney stated. “We’d like to thank Kia UK, as well as Kia Norway and Kia Portugal, for their support and hospitality, and want to recognise the enthusiasm and kindness we’ve experienced on the road as we’ve traveled from the top of Europe to the bottom.”

When it became evident how quickly they could cover the distance, the crew was able to cut more than a day from their original plan of covering 15 countries in 120 hours and add an extra stop to their itinerary. The team drove in shifts and followed the speed limits in each country they visited, only stopping to refuel and switch drivers.

Even though the trip was recorded, the team made detours to commemorate Sir Stirling along the way. This included the 7,500-foot-high Julier Pass in the Swiss Alps, which was part of the original 1952 route, and Monaco, which allowed the team to drive on the famed Grand Prix circuit.

As a project partner, Kumho Tire supplied the ECSTA PS71 EV tire that was first installed on the challenge car and utilized throughout the trial. In order to ensure that the team was as well-rested as possible prior to the long drive, partner DFDS offered ferry crossings to France and then again to the start point in Oslo. The AMG Group provided Wayfarer expedition rations to guarantee team meals were quick and hassle-free while keeping the team fed and nourished.

From Oslo, the team traveled through Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Monaco, Spain, and lastly, Portugal.

The Driven To Extremes team used the perfect vehicle to take on the marathon. The Kia EV6 Air has a WLTP combined range of up to 527km on a single charge. The Kia EV6’s spacious interior and long wheelbase made the 89-hour journey comfortable. The ultra-rapid charging technology can take the battery from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes when using a 350kW charger and in one hour and 13 minutes when using a 50kW charger.

A GPS system tracked the expedition at all times. The Kia EV6 was followed by a support vehicle, also provided by Kia, that was carrying a photography and film crew to document the trip.

Kia EV6 will be making its Philippine debut at this year’s Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS). Catch it at Kia’s PIMS booth at World Trade Center in Pasay City, from September 15 to 18.

Photos from Kia

Also read: Kia PH set to showcase latest vehicles, digital art display at PIMS 2022