Uno-X Mobility Makes History with Electric Cars in Tour de France
No other team has previously completed the Tour de France using only electric team cars for their sports directors. Uno-X Mobility will therefore make history when the Tour de France starts in Florence next Saturday.
Photo: Szymon Gruchalski
"Uno-X Mobility's mission is to develop and promote solutions for sustainable mobility. Our cycling team is a symbol of the transition we have begun to become a forward-looking mobility player, and our use of electric cars during the Tour de France is a good example of how we can contribute to small but positive changes," says Anders Eia Linnestad, Head of Administration and Operations at Uno-X Mobility Cycling AS.
As a company under Reitan Retail, Uno-X Mobility is making significant investments in Norway and Denmark in fast charging for both the passenger and heavy-duty vehicle sectors. Eia Linnestad explains that the company has therefore worked with the organizer A.S.O and Škoda to find solutions that ensure it is possible to use electric cars during this year's race.
"We are very proud to be able to present the electric cars used as part of the race during the Tour de France. This is a major milestone to demonstrate that the future is electric, especially in markets that have not progressed as far in this development as we have in Norway. It is inspiring to work with Uno-X Mobility, which, with its proactivity, is leading an entire industry and sport in a more sustainable direction," says Martine Behrens, director of Škoda in Norway.
Director of Škoda in Norway, Martine Behrens and General Manager Uno-X Mobility, Thor Hushovd. Photo: Wordup
Škoda is the official main sponsor of the Tour de France, and the Škoda factory provides over 200 organizer cars each year, the majority of which are currently plug-in hybrids.
"Therefore, it is significant for the Norwegian Škoda importer, as a car partner for Uno-X Mobility, that they want to take the step towards fully electric vehicles. The timing is also good with the new Enyaq, which drives longer and charges faster than before," says Behrens.
Photo: Szymon Gruchalski
A Small Step on the Way
"To reduce CO2 emissions from large events like the Tour de France, we as a mobility player want to take steps in the right direction regarding vehicles," continues Eia Linnestad, emphasizing that the charging infrastructure in rural France is not as good as we are used to in Norway.
"Two electric cars among a range of other fossil-fueled vehicles is still just a small step on the way towards a greener race, but it is a step in the right direction," he says.
The two electric cars Uno-X Mobility will use during the Tour de France transport the team's sports directors through the course, and the cars are loaded with spare equipment, food, drink, and other supplies for the riders. The goal is to show that it is fully possible to complete the race with electric cars and contribute to increasing their share in the years to come.
"We have also invested in solar panels for our team bus. The solar panels will reduce the use of diesel generators during the Tour de France to a minimum and are therefore an important measure in addition to the electric cars," says Eia Linnestad.
Curious About the Range
Driving in cycling races cannot be compared to normal driving. Therefore, it has been challenging to get a complete overview of the range without testing the cars in the race. A Škoda Enyaq rigged for cycling races has a lot of special equipment that must be considered. In particular, this involves a large roof rack with space for 8 complete bikes and wheels, which is obviously a significant factor in terms of range.
Tests conducted by the team this spring showed that it is fine to use the electric cars in races that exceed 200 km. The final tests and preparations were recently done during the Criterium du Dauphine in France. Uno-X Mobility's sports director, Gino Van Oudenhove, is very enthusiastic when talking about the team's newest cars:
"I must admit that I was skeptical when the first plans for electric cars were presented. But this skepticism was quickly turned around. The Škoda Enyaq is a car that fits perfectly for cycling races both in terms of interior space, motor response, and range," says Van Oudenhove.
Challenging Logistics During the Tour de France
A three-week stage race is a very demanding operation for a cycling team, and many will probably think that charging logistics must be an additional burden. However, Uno-X Mobility has made a good plan for the entire race. The network of charging stations in France has been significantly expanded in recent years. In addition, the organizer of the Tour de France, A.S.O, facilitates fast charging in the start cities every day.
Two Cars Closely Following the Race
All teams in the Tour de France are allowed to follow each stage with two team cars. The cars are driven by the team's sports directors and are the ones seen following the riders on TV. In each car, there is also a mechanic who assists the riders in case of punctures or other mechanical issues. Uno-X Mobility drives respectively Škoda Enyaq 85X RS and Škoda Enyaq 85X Sportline.
Celebrating the 20th year of Partnership of Škoda and the Tour (welovecycling.com)