Shaun Maidment’s Historic EV Journey Across South Africa Ahead of Charging Infrastructure
Shaun Maidment successfully crossed South Africa in a BMW i3 EV before established charging infrastructure existed, encountering various challenges. With 365,000 kilometers logged, he shares his experiences, insights on EV performance, and future mobility perspectives in an interview on the TechCentral Show.
In a remarkable feat, Shaun Maidment traveled across South Africa in a BMW i3 electric vehicle (EV) before the establishment of a charging infrastructure along national routes. At that time, long-distance EV trips required drivers to utilize their ingenuity and rely on the goodwill of strangers for battery charging.
As one of South Africa’s pioneering EV enthusiasts, Maidment has amassed an impressive mileage of 365,000 kilometers on his BMW i3, which was once recognized as the highest-mileage i3 on the continent. His adventurous journey from Johannesburg to Cape Town in 2017 was inspired by a desire to explore the capabilities of electric mobility amidst the challenges presented by the lack of charging stations.
During an interview with Nkosinathi Ndlovu on the TechCentral Show, Maidment shared his motivations, trip planning strategies, and memorable encounters along the way. He provided insights about optimizing EV usage, the performance of his i3 over time, and offered his perspective on the future of electric mobility in South Africa.
Shaun Maidment’s pioneering journey across South Africa in an electric vehicle highlights the evolution of electric mobility and the challenges early adopters faced. His experiences not only emphasize the importance of charging infrastructure but also inspire future electric vehicle users to embark on cross-country adventures. Maidment’s insights and contributions manifest a growing optimism for the future of electric transportation in South Africa.
Original Source: techcentral.co.za
