A new altitude world record for a solar-powered electric vehicle achieved with tires from Nokian Tyres
Last December, the Swiss Peak Evolution project team set a new altitude world record for electric four-wheeled vehicles at 6,510 meters (21,358 feet). The record was made in Chile at the world’s highest volcano, Ojos del Salado. Nokian Tyres joined the effort by equipping the record-making vehicle with tires made for demanding conditions.
The Peak Evolution project, started by David Proeschel, David Koller, and Patrik Koller, aims to prove the superiority of electric mobility in heavy off-road applications. Last December, the team set out to achieve the world record for the highest altitude reached on an electric vehicle.
Due to Nokian Tyres’ experience of harsh environments and challenging terrain, we were a seamless fit to provide the expedition vehicle with tires: Nokian Tyres Outpost AT for preparatory driving, and Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta 44 for the actual mountainside climb.
The Hakkapeliitta 44 excels in grip and durability as it is designed especially for expedition vehicles. Despite the tire’s robust size – over one meter in diameter and 70 kilos per tire – it moves smoothly through deep snow. The tire is designed for hard use in harsh winter conditions, and that is where it feels most at home. That’s why it was perfect for the record vehicle, “Terren”, which was powered by two electric motors and charged by a mobile solar power plant.
“The Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta 44 tires did an absolutely fantastic job! We are absolutely convinced that there are no better tires in the world for this kind of terrain,” says the Peak Evolution team.
The record-breaking expedition demonstrated the ever-increasing capabilities of solar-powered electric vehicles, and with the help of Nokian Tyres, the Peak Evolution team showed that safe journeys are possible even in truly extreme conditions.