From the Sahara to the Serengeti with Geotab Telematics and 4x4electric
Geotab Inc., a global leader in IoT and connected transportation and the world’s #1 commercial telematics provider, today formally announced its partnership with 4x4electric, a fully self-sufficient Electric Vehicle expedition from the Netherlands to South Africa and back.
4x4electric founders Renske Cox and Maarten van Pel will be departing Haelen, Netherlands on 4th November for the expedition, which is expected to last for one year and traverse 40,000km of the African Continent. Their mission is threefold: to demonstrate the potential of long-term electric motoring; to discover sustainable initiatives across the African Continent; and to collect data and insights on the expedition vehicle throughout their journey.
As part of the partnership, Geotab is sponsoring the expedition and supporting 4x4electric’s mission with vehicle telematics, showcasing near real-time data along the way. It will include indicators of driving behaviour, power information, and environmental insights on a live dashboard. This data will be available to view on the 4x4electric website throughout the journey.
The 4x4electric expedition, a Dutch non-governmental organisation, will drive a SKODA ENYAQ iV 80, equipped with portable solar panels to recharge the vehicle when it is in off-grid environments. Additional power is supplemented by standard electric recharging sockets. Fitted with a Geotab GO9 telematics device, the SKODA will provide live tracking via the MyGeotab display and utilising Geotab’s ProPlus fleet management software.
The SKODA is connected via a satellite device and internet connection to provide constant data monitoring. An in-vehicle camera is also connected to the Geotab device to capture the journey in real-time, showing the highlights of the extraordinary adventure.
“We’re so excited and delighted to be part of 4x4electric’s incredible expedition across Africa,” says David Savage, Vice President, UK & Ireland. “Electric vehicles are the future, and it’s important to dispel long-standing myths on range anxiety, and instead focus on building a more sustainable world for us all.
“As we move into Net Zero, our technologies such as the EV Suitability Assessment and the EV Battery Degradation tool can help organisations optimise their fleets and bring sustainability into focus. All of us at Geotab wish Renske and Maarten luck and we can’t wait to follow their electric journey!”
4x4electric founder Renske Cox says: “We were inspired by our love of nature and our desire to live a sustainable lifestyle. The 4x4electric expedition is our way of demonstrating that you can love this planet whilst still living on it. We are delighted that Geotab has joined our adventure and can provide the technology that shows the data points across our entire journey. As a company, they have the same commitment to the environment that we do, and we will share this journey together.”
