What seems to be the idea of three young adventurers at the regulars table has a serious history. Patrik (28), David Koller (30) and David Pröschel (31) developed the “Peak Evolution” project to draw more attention to their plans to convert heavy agricultural machinery from diesel to environmentally friendly electric drives. Goal: a new world altitude record for ground vehicles.
After three years of development and transformation and a few setbacks, three childhood friends from Engadin have completed the first phase. Your converted Aebi expedition electric vehicle “Terren” (Rhaeto-Romanic for the world) is ready and ready for the planned adventure (see box). The diesel drive was replaced by two electric motors with a total power of 380 horsepower. This makes the five-metre-long and 2.15-metre-wide Terren twice as powerful as the base Aebi VT 450 vehicle. Lots of torque and the extra-wide 42-inch wheels make it possible to climb a gradient of up to 100 percent. ten tons of total weight (curb weight 4 t, payload 6 t). This gives the Terren more towing power than an average 40-tonne semi-trailer.
Federal President is enthusiastic
The recently ended St. Gallen, the vehicle was enjoyed for ten days with full exploration equipment, including a mobile solar power plant. Even Federal President Ignazio Cassis (61) has an insight into the progress made in e-mobility in the municipal and agricultural sectors. The Minister of Foreign Affairs wished the adventurers good luck on their planned expeditions and was proud that Swiss innovation has been realized so prominently in the world.
The best conditions to start this week as planned with the shipment of the big adventure and exploration vehicle to Chile. If it weren’t for Swiss registry authorities with their mysterious bureaucracies. “The problem is not that the path approval requirements for electrical conversions are too high, it’s just that there are no uniformly defined requirements,” says David Proschel. Patrik Koller said, “It took us weeks to define it with the responsible institutions and it brought us back to our program.” So, if the team had one wish for politicians, it would be concrete testing benchmarks that focus on security aspects rather than uncontrolled nationwide growth that slows any innovative power.
Annoying for adventurers, this official bureaucracy means there isn’t enough time to dare the expedition this year. “The weather is only suitable from November to January for a successful ascent of the world’s highest active volcano at 6893 meters,” says David Koller. Shipment and transfer to base camp, as well as less time to acclimatize to the unfamiliar altitude, only a few days left for the actual record attempt – with no reserve for any delays. “If we’ve learned anything over the last three years, it’s that we can’t trust anything and we should always expect nasty surprises,” says David Proeschel.
Mission begins September 2023
After long deliberation, the trio postpones the expedition for a year because of this. The start is expected in September 2023. “Another setback,” admits David Koller. But now you want to try to make the most of the situation. “We are using our time to test our vehicle extensively in Switzerland and further develop the business side of our company by testing the new electric drive system in daily work at municipal services and ski areas,” says David Koller optimistically. Or by getting more sponsors on board. “Despite great support, we could have done our expedition this year on a very tight budget,” says Patrik Koller.
The team now hopes to find additional sponsors so that the adventure can be implemented professionally in terms of marketing as well. For example, renowned Swiss documentary filmmaker Claudio von Planta has been accompanying the project for a year – but at his own risk. Patrik Koller: “Time was too short to get professional funding for the movie.” That’s about to change: In order to remain independent in the choice of distribution channel, the documentary will be financed by selling NFTs (Fungible Tokens) (more information can be found at www.peakevolution.ch).
But the adventurous trio agree: the world record attempt is “only” a means to an end. “We wanted to develop an electric business vehicle. And this is now ready to go. Thus, the first goal has been achieved.”