Electric road trip to charge batteries

AN EPIC 2,500-mile road trip that will be stopping off in Dublin later this month features an electric car.

Route 57 was designed by Jurys Inn Hotels to be the UK and Ireland’s answer to Route 66 in America, and it will be undertaken by motoring journalist Jess Shanahan in an electric version of the KIA Soul car.

The idea is to promote local tourism by stopping off in 57 must-see destinations across England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The three-week adventure starts in Plymouth before finishing in Galway on April 26.

It also aims to challenge the myth surrounding electric cars that range is an issue by showing that an electric vehicle (EV) can drive more than 4,000km across four countries.

The KIA Soul EV has a travel range of up to 132 miles (212km) on a full battery and can be charged through plugging into any household electric supply. It can be recharged from a fully depleted battery in under five hours, and an 80 per cent charge can be achieved in 25 minutes using a 100 kW charger.

The car will be driven by motoring and travel journalist Jess Shanahan. Speaking to Northside People she said she can’t wait to get on the road and see new places, especially Ireland.

 “It will be my first time in Ireland,” she said. “I’ve wanted to go there for a long time.”

The route takes in Dublin on Friday, April 22, when the car and Jess will be in the city until Saturday morning.

Jess will be posting updates on social media as well as taking music suggestions through the Route 57 Spotify playlist. More information can be found at www.route57.org.uk

Aaron McElroy