Paris to Dakar in the world’s premiere PHEV called Prime. Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – May 7, 2018 The Team: Team ACP was formed in 1979 by a group of Japanese driving enthusiasts who prepped for the Dakar Rally. They got hooked and participated in subsequent rallies, driving from Paris to Dakar annually for the next 12 years. From their experiences driving through the desert, the team members developed an appreciation for different cultures, as well as increased concern for the global environment. After the Prius was launched in 1997, Team ACP was presented with the opportunity to drive the Prius on expeditions in 5 different continents from North America to Africa over a decade of driving. This allowed them to test the feasibility of driving hybrid vehicles in different parts of the world. At the same time, the team leveraged the publicity from their expeditions to cast a light on efforts made in different regions toward green transportation and other sustainability projects. While still in Europe, the team hits upper elevation mountain snow. This time, Team ACP retraced the Paris-Dakar route that they first took almost 40 years ago and set off from Paris for Dakar in March 2018. The expedition across the vast Sahara included the Prius Prime and a support Land Cruiser for support. Crossing the Sahara Desert in a Prius Prime The Prius Prime departs on a 4,350-mile driving adventure. The mountains ahead. The Sahara And so it begins in earnest. And they're off! Team ACP traverses snow-covered France on their 4,350-mile trek to Dakar in a Prius Prime. Next stop, Morocco! The Prius Prime reaches the Tarfaya Wind Farm in southwestern Morocco. The goats! Hello, Morocco! The Tarfaya Wind Farm is the largest wind farm in Africa with 131 wind turbines in operation. Perhaps fewer than the many goats we saw along the way. Onward for Dakar! The Prius PHV in the electricity-less desert. Japanese Prius Primes are rigged to both consume power internally and output power externally too! Did you know that the Japanese Prius Prime can act as a power source? With an output of 100V/1,500W, this is more than enough to cook with. Convenient for tea time and supper in the middle of the desert! The Prius Prime is in the thick of it. Even a Prius Prime gets stuck occasionally. Driving in the desert is no so easy task. Team ACP continues the trek through Western Sahara and Mauritania, they are stymied by deep sands, heavy winds, and even care-free camels! The Prius Prime parked under a baobab tree. One does not have to be a little prince to marvel at the sight of the mighty baobab tree. The Prius Prime is part of Toyota's efforts to promote sustainability of the planet in the long run. Team ACP is getting closer to Dakar. They made it! Team ACP has reached Dakar, completing their 4,350-mile trek from Paris in a Prius Prime. This trek may be over, but the journey towards an ever-better environment continues. For the full expedition report from Team ACP's trip across the Sahara Desert, please click on the following link Team ACP – Paris to Dakar in the Prisu Prime (in Japanese only but use the translation feature in Chrome to read the trek's details.) Sorry I could not find out what the overall efficiency was, but I suspect it would have been a wee bit higher if …
Hi Jud: Your participation would keep the conversation at a high level for a good portion however! Wayne
