E-Gazelles: a growing presence

For the 2nd year, the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc presents an innovative vehicle class: “e-Gazelle”.

Twelve participants are taking on the crazy challenge of tackling the desert in an electric vehicle. Princess Stéphanie of Monaco herself is sending off these 6 teams from the Prince’s Palace. The e-Gazelles will then join the rest of the teams in Nice for the ceremonial start at 3 o’clock.

Who are the e-Gazelles ?

The teams competing in this new class come from a variety of backgrounds. The Gazelles of Team 503 (Natacha BORDRY / Clothilde HAMION - Crédit Suisse),

are physicians and are tackling the desert in a Bolloré Bluesummer. “We’re doing the Rallye to celebrate our 30th birthdays. Being able to compete in an electric vehicle was a condition for taking part in this type of event. We wanted to promote renewable energy and sustainable development.”

Such is also the case for Team 502 (Mélanie MOR / Delphine MIQUEL - ENEDIS) and Team 501 (Valerie ROMANN / Carine DECRAENE - ACER France), both nurses. For the latter, “it’s the dream of a lifetime, it’s a human adventure and a challenge, we’re determined and we’ve been training a lot so we can really do our best.”

A fourth e-Gazelle team, Team 504 (Kiera CHAPLIN / Jazmin GRIMALDI - Saint Honoré) is composed of Kiera Chaplin, the granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin and Jazmin Grace Grimaldi, the daughter of Prince Albert of Monaco. The pair have been friends for many years and are thrilled to have the chance to do the Rallye together!

Team 500 (Elisabeth ROUX / Alexandra ROZLOZNY - ALTIMA PAR MAIF), both of whom work in environmental protection, chose the Citroën sister of the Bolloré, an E-Méhari, a model similar to that used in 2017.

Finally, Team 313 (Solen KERLEROUX / Carine POISSON - RUN FUN / MTECH), who work for Renault, are taking part in the adventure in a “lightly prepped” Renault Zoe. With increased ground clearance, 16” tires and reinforced underbody protection, their vehicle qualifies as a “Crossover” and will be the only electric vehicle in Crossover Class.

A successful test in 2017

Pilar Cabellos and Nezha Larhrissi launched the initiative in 2017. After several days of competition and upwards of a thousand kilometres, they had successfully accomplished their mission, leading the way for other competitors and for the new vehicle class “e-Gazelles”.

In addition to mastering the art of navigation, the e-Gazelles will have to carefully manage their energy/battery power by becoming experts at eco-driving. Every day,in the crushing desert heat , they will have to drive some 120 kilometres along an off-road route specifically designed for this vehicle class.