Muscat – Swiss couple Frank M Rinderknecht and his wife Michele embarked on a monumental journey in August 2023 covering a staggering 12,000km in an electric vehicle (EV) from Geneva to Muscat via Doha. 

Their adventure, aimed at promoting sustainable travel and the capabilities of EVs, saw them travel through various countries across Europe and the Middle East. Rinderknecht and his wife will set off from Muscat on the next leg of their journey this weekend. 

Their route included a 4,000km stretch across the Saudi desert and another from Salalah to Sur, where far-too-few charging stations posed significant challenges. 

The couple’s journey underscores a commitment to sustainable environmental practices and the push towards reducing fuel dependency and pollution.

Their journey, which featured a stop at Geneva Motor Show in Qatar in October 2023, highlights the evolution and potential of EVs in long-distance travel. 

Rinderknecht, an early adopter of EVs since 2008, shared insights into the progress and increasing competitiveness of EVs, particularly the impactful innovations coming from Chinese manufacturers.

“EVs are exceptionally well-suited for city driving, but long-distance travel presents a set of challenges, mostly due to the current scarcity of charging stations,” Rinderknecht explained. He advocates greater government investment in charging infrastructure to encourage adoption of EVs.

Discussing the practical aspects of their vehicle, Michele said, “Our EV can travel up to 300km on a single charge, with an additional 100km as backup.” She highlighted the impact of air conditioning on power consumption and recommended maintaining a speed of around 70kmph to maximise efficiency, illustrating the nuances of managing energy use in EVs.

This extraordinary journey not only demonstrates the viability of EVs for extensive travel but also serves as a call to action for enhanced support systems for EV users, aiming to make such sustainable practices more accessible and practical for everyone.