ACCIONA is bringing its innovative electric rally car to Australia for the first time, showing how renewable energy can be competitive even in the toughest conditions.

In 2017 the car made history, becoming the first zero-emissions vehicle to complete the Dakar Rally. Since then it’s gone on to finish several other qualifiers for the FIA World Rallycross Championship, including the Italian Baja and Morocco rallies.

ACCIONA 100% EcoPowered now has its sights set on the Finke Desert Race, which is being held on 8-11 June in Alice Springs.

Built entirely in Spain, the car is the result of over five years’ research and development work. It’s very powerful for an electric car, with a 250kW synchronous electric motor equivalent to 340 horsepower, and is driven by eight fast-charging lithium battery modules plus a 100W solar panel. All the car’s power needs and recharging capabilities serviced by its 6X6 assistance truck.

“The car’s participation in the Finke demonstrates the competitiveness of renewable energy,” said Brett Wickham, Managing Director ACCIONA Energy Australia. “It’s a glimpse of the future of rallying – electric, green and tough.”

“Unlike the other participants in the rally, which burn an average of 25 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, ACCIONA 100% EcoPowered is driven exclusively by clean energy and does not use a drop of fossil fuel.”

The car will be driven by two female motorsports experts – Andrea Peterhansel and Emma Clair. Seasoned competition drivers Peterhansel and Clair will be making their Australian debut and resuming a partnership formed in last year’s Baja Italia rally. Peterhansel has participated in over 60 rallies, including in the Dakar 10 times, while Clair is Bajas TT world champion in quad.

They will be supported by technical and sporting director Ariel Jatón, who made rally history by finishing the Dakar rally in the ACCIONA 100% EcoPowered in 2017.

For more about the Finke, see: https://finkedesertrace.com.au/