Beads Of Sweat In The Electric Car At ADAC ERallye

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:36

On the second day of the ADAC eRallye Südtirol, the electric vehicles had to do a lot of work. Ultimately, all teams managed the 148 kilometers over the Dolomites on the longest stage.

By Thomas Flehmer

The range of electric vehicles is the argument for or against the alternative drive. In addition to the high starting price, many customers shy away from buying an electric car for fear of falling by the wayside. In the city, range is not an issue for most people. It becomes more difficult for commuters who live outside the urban workspace.

No range fears with the Opel Ampera

The royal stage of the eRallye Südtirol, organized by ADAC and Südtirol Marketing Gesellschaft (SMG), from Bolzano via Selva, Gardena Pass, Sella Pass back to Bolzano could dispel the fears. The 19 teams had to cover almost 148 kilometers on Monday and were able to gain new experiences with electric mobility. Melanie Baltheiser, who completed the second stage with a Smart Electric Drive, thinks it's pretty cool. "It's super quiet and you can take it easy," says the 24-year-old law student from Munich, "it's just fun to try to recharge the battery with an economical driving style."

In Selva the vehicles were recharged during the lunch break. However, the lunch break on the rally is longer, as three hours are allotted for charging the 19 vehicles so that they don't get stuck at some point. "We knew that we would be back for dinner," says Sabine Langer. The Düsseldorf woman has a good laugh as she was out and about in an Opel Ampera. The vehicle has a so-called range extender on board. When the battery is empty, a petrol engine switches on, which acts as a generator and produces electricity for the battery.

Compromise between recuperation and driving pleasure

Individual drivers from Smart, Nissan Leaf and Peugeot iOn, who had to be content with the electric motor and thus limited range, had "beads of sweat on their foreheads" before the start of the royal stage. Their range is around 150 kilometers, but on the way to the Dolomites, the range decreases disproportionately before the batteries can be recharged using recuperation downhill. But the way to the summit must first be made before the beads of sweat can be wiped off.

Sabine Langer describes the alternative drive as “takes getting used to. "It's a compromise between recuperation and fun," says the passionate kart and motorcycle rider, who gives preference to vehicles with more horsepower. "I prefer to be a bit sportier."

Electric pushes awaken the play instinct

Matthias Bühler also has that with electric cars. "They awaken the play instinct," says the marketing manager of a company for heat pumps. "I would like to try out the suit and the speed under conditions where you are not under pressure to save in order to be able to enjoy the driving pleasure for longer." But the rally in South Tyrol is all about saving. The five stages should be managed with the lowest possible energy consumption.

On the first stage, the youngest team of all participants was the most skillful. The two drivers are just 18 and 19 years old = " and want to "experience the future". The premiere was very successful for both of them. But the other teams have also adjusted to the electric vehicles. All vehicles finished the royal stage on Waltherplatz in Bozen - and still with enough battery power for many kilometers.