Couple are electric in Mongol Rally

An adventurous couple have become the first people in the world to complete the 10,000mile Mongol Rally in an electric vehicle.

Chris Ramsey and his wife Julie set off on July 16 in their Nissan Leaf on the journey from Goodwood Racecourse in England to Ulan-Ude in Siberia, via Mongolia, with about 340 other petrol or diesel cars.

They arrived on Sunday after travelling across the mountains, desert and steppe of Europe and Asia with no back-up, no support and no set route.

Mr Ramsey, who founded Plug In Adventures in 2011, has completed several previous rallies in his electric vehicle, including John o’ Groats to Land’s End, London to Monte Carlo and Scotland’s North Coast 500.

The adventurer said he enjoyed taking part in his latest adventure while raising funds for WWF Scotland.

Mr Ramsey said: “Being the first to complete the Mongol Rally in an electric vehicle has been an incredible experience.

“Over the past 55 days we’ve driven 10,000 miles across mountains, desert and grassland and our Nissan Leaf has coped with it all.

“I hope our adventure shows Scotland has taken the right decision to be ambitious and aim to phase out fossil fuel vehicles from 2032.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has helped us raise money to help WWF Scotland continue its important work on climate change.”

The rules of the Mongol Rally state that participants must drive a small, sub-1.0-litre engine car as it makes the event more of a challenge with a greater chance of a breakdown, meaning drivers can interact with locals along the way.

The Aberdeen couple now plan to do some voluntary work in Mongolia before returning to Scotland.

Chris Ramsey in Ulan-Ude in Siberia.