Most of us have a dream of going on a long road trip with friends riding a Harley Davidson or a cosy SUV. But Naveen Rabelli, Indian origin Australian automotive engineer wanted to make his road trip distinctively adventurous as well as wanted to spread a ‘green’ message.
The 35-year-old engineer decided to drive for over 14,000 kms on tuk-tuk all the way from India to London to create awareness of alternative mobility solutions for passenger vehicles using renewable energy.
Rabelli set off from India in February and arrived in Britain at the end of a seven-month overland adventure in which he drove through Iran, Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Austria, Switzerland, Germany and France.
All he had with his solar-powered red-and-yellow stunner tuk-tuk was the basic comforts including a bed, a seat for a co-passenger, a cupboard with food donated by people, and a solar-powered cooker. On his journey he had to adjust to life on the road, including bathing in lakes, rivers and even at police stations, and relying largely on food handouts.
The idea of fuel-free, solar operated and fully electric tuk – tuk came to his mind when he and a friend were stuck in traffic in India surrounded by noisy, polluting tuk-tuks. Rabelli says, “I wanted to prove that this form kind of transport is reliable, for long distance, different terrains, and different weather patterns. I have driven through some really tough terrains.”
Rabelli plans to drive up to Buckingham Palace in London and also attend the Low Carbon Vehicle Event 2016 in Millbrook, Bedfordshire, on Tuesday and Thursday. He was five days late on his journey than expected because of the theft of his passport and wallet in France. Later he obtained an emergency passport and completed the journey.
