Enel X and the Long Way

Enel X is closely involved in the Formula E and MotoE championships but last year we became part of a splendid On the Road adventure. This was when two actors and motorbike enthusiasts, namely Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, rode electric Harley Davidson LiveWires from Tierra del Fuego, at the southernmost tip of South America, to Los Angeles.

Enel X supplied much of the recharging infrastructure in the countries covered. Not only that, this epic journey is the subject of an 11-part documentary which is currently being broadcast on Apple TV+. This will be seen in 107 countries and heard in 40 languages. We are convinced that the series will not only create brand awareness but, more importantly perhaps, it will help people understand that electric mobility is now totally feasible. If two guys on electric motorbikes can make it from Tierra del Fuego to California, then who needs to worry about range anxiety?

Enel X’s main contribution was to create the Pan-American Corridor. It covers the west coast of South America, prior to heading into Central and North America. Some 220 Enel X JuiceBoxes (with 40 amps) were placed in 11 different countries (in alphabetical, and not geographical, order: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Peru). 196 JuiceBoxes are integrated and visible with the JuicePass, Enel X’s dedicated app. Although electric motorbikes were the form of transport of choice, larger electric vehicles also featured. Ewan and Charley were accompanied by a team that used two Rivian electric vehicles.

Setting up the infrastructure was a major logistical challenge and Jean Paul Zalaquett, Enel X Latin America head of e-Mobility, says that “When we were first approached about the project, and asked to create an infrastructure that covers half the circumference of the Earth in just six months, any sensible person would have said, ‘No, that’s impossible!’” But Enel X’s bold decision paid off and electric mobility in Latin America has taken a giant leap forward. Alberto Piglia, Enel X’s Head of e-Mobility is also delighted with the results: “This project has enabled us to achieve our mission of boosting electric mobility and showing that it can happen even in places where people think it’s simply impossible.”