Team MINI will be showcasing the real-world driving range, performance and capabilities of its new MINI Countryman on the EV Rally. GREENFLEET speaks to MINI's Rachel McDermott to find out how team preparations are going

We are delighted that MINI is joining us on the EV Rally for the first time this year. Could you tell us why you decided to participate?

We’re excited to be participating in the EV Rally and bringing the new MINI Countryman on this road trip adventure. It’s the biggest MINI in our model range, all-electric and we’re pleased to have the opportunity to showcase the real-world driving range, performance and capabilities.  

Please tell us about Team MINI - who will be driving and in what vehicles?

Our brilliant BMW UK Corporate Team will be taking on the EV Rally this year, with ten Account Managers and Corporate Sales colleagues driving four of our latest models, including the new BMW iX2, i5 Touring and two all-electric MINI Countryman.

The Rally is over 1,400 miles and this year will be visiting towns and checkpoints from A to Z in alphabetical order. What do you expect the challenges to be and are you going into the Rally with any particular strategy?  

We’re looking forward to spending time together as a team and getting to know each other a little better – you think you know a colleague, until the 1,400 mile road trip! Connected technology will help us plan our route while All4 brings all-wheel drive for the A-Z route and so we’ll be well equipped. And, for when we need it, we’ll switch into Green mode, to bring an extra efficient drive.

Are MINI vehicles equipped with a particular technology that you think will help your team?

Team MINI will be enjoying the go-kart feel and thrilling MINI response. We have the latest hardware and software on board that makes MINI handling playful as well as power and efficiency, as we need it.  

Day Four of the Rally will see participants call into MINI's head office at Farnborough. Please tell us what teams can expect when they get there?

All EV Rally participants will receive a warm welcome. We’ll be showcasing BMW Group’s all-electric model range, the latest BMW technology and of course, BMW hospitality at our UK headquarters in Farnborough.

Why are events like the EV Rally important for driving up electric-vehicle adoption?

It’s important that we demonstrate the everyday capability of all-electric with zero driving emissions.  Infrastructure is improving as is the realistic range expected from electric vehicles. MINI all-electric brings a reassuring electric range, one capable of most daily commutes and journeys while also delivering that go-kart feel with thrilling MINI response.  

Please tell us about MINI's own sustainability plans and progress?

At BMW Group we recognise the environmental footprint of our vehicles which is why reducing their impact is embedded into our Corporate Strategy. This includes defining targets that will enable us to contribute to the goals set out by the Paris Climate Agreement and the accompanying 1.5-degree objective.

By 2030 the BMW Group has laid out measurable, science-based targets to reduce CO2 emissions (base year 2019). These include; an average of 80% carbon reduction at our owned production sites and locations per vehicle produced, C02 emissions during the vehicle’s use phase by an average of at least 50% per km driven (largely through the increase of electrified vehicles within our range), and an average of at least 20% carbon reduction in the supply chain per vehicle produced.

Our comprehensive approach to sustainability doesn’t stop there, as well as having a clear focus on the circular economy, we view sustainability to encompass three pillars – ecological, social and governance.