In the spring of 2024, a team from the United Kingdom will embark on an expedition to cross the Nefud desert in Saudi Arabia using alternative power sources.
The team intends to establish a new route across this remote and arid region, and they hope to be the first to demonstrate the viability of alternative power for expedition vehicles.
It is worth mentioning that the Saudi Ambassador to the UK, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid, is providing full support to the team, as the team leader of the expedition Dr Alan Crofts stated, “His Royal Highness is very supportive of the expedition and our objectives”.
Alan also added, “He has pledged his support and personally encourages businesses and institutions to help with our endeavour. We have generated enormous interest from the media in Saudi Arabia and can offer a substantial promotional package to any company wishing to invest in our expedition”.
“In particular we require the loan of two off-road capable electric vehicles and one conventionally powered vehicle”. Whenever we are about to enter the negotiation process we can provide the letter of support from His Royal Highness.
“We are confident that we can practically utilize either fully electric or hybrid vehicles for the expedition and have designed the route to incorporate adequate charge points”, Dr Alan Crofts told us. He also added, “We are taking high technology solar transducing mats on the expedition that will enable us to top up the vehicle batteries and charge our equipment”.
The team is currently exploring the potential implementation of biofuel as an energy source for a diesel support vehicle, which would serve the purpose of supplying backup charging capabilities.
