In 2019, Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman took a dramatic motorcycle tour, starting in Ushuaia, Argentina, across South and Central America, and finally arriving in Los Angeles, USA. This journey was recorded by Apple TV+'s "Long Way Up", attracting the attention of many viewers. However, what is most eye-catching is not their route, but their chosen means of transportation - environmentally friendly electric motorcycles, the concept behind which is thought-provoking.
“We hope this journey will serve as an example for people to see the potential of electric transportation.”
When Ewan and Charley first started planning the trip, they were not completely confident. Although they understand that choosing an electric motorcycle is an environmentally friendly decision, the limited range of the motorcycle worries them. Even the best off-road electric motorcycles only have a range of 72 miles, and their daily driving range is estimated to be in the 150-mile range.
Ewan and Charley were very clear about the environmental protection concept of this journey. They hope to have minimal impact on the environment while exploring the magnificent South American landscape. To do this, they decided to use the all-electric Harley-Davidson LiveWire as their primary mode of transportation and collaborated to develop a prototype electric motorcycle that could go off-road.
“This is not just a ride, it’s a campaign about sustainability and environmental protection.”
Throughout the journey, Ewan and Charley faced the constant challenge of recharging their batteries. Sometimes, they have to resort to diesel generators due to lack of charging facilities, which makes them more aware of the areas where electric motorcycles need improvement. Even in the face of these difficulties, they do not intend to give up. On the contrary, they hope to inspire more people to pay attention to environmental issues through their actions.
The Rivian electric pickup truck used in this journey not only supports driving, but also provides them with the necessary charging support. The Rivian team set up 150 fast-charging stations along the route to ensure their motorcycles had enough energy support. This highlights how modern technology can aid the practice of environmentally friendly transportation.
“We hope that not only can we complete this journey, but that it can become a symbol of environmental action.”
At its core, Long Way Up is about stimulating the audience's thinking. Ewan and Charley's journey proves that electric motorcycles can not only provide people with the joy of roaming, but should also be considered as a new option for future transportation. They hope that through this adventure, they can arouse greater social attention to renewable energy and environmental awareness.
The success of this journey did not rely solely on the mechanical performance of the electric motorcycle, but also on the fact that they chose a completely new way of exploration. Of course, challenges with charging and range will continue to exist, but the solutions discovered could lead to more environmentally friendly forms of transportation in the future.
Ewan and Charley's choice makes us rethink the feasibility of today's transportation methods, and then feel that the future transportation system may be completely changed. For each of us, in the face of increasingly serious environmental problems, should we also start to reflect on our commuting methods and look for greener options?