New Year’s Eve 2024: A Road Trip to North Cape in the Arctic Circle
Have you ever thought about going to the most Northern point of the European mainland during its coldest and darkest season? North Cape in Norway is this point and we have been joining the eNordkapp Challenge 2024 as Team Kempower, with Rick and Tobias, to discover the magic of the Northern lights, to see reindeers crossing our paths and charging our EVs with Kempower along the way. We have been driving from Germany through Poland, the Baltics and Finland to Norway. Crossing Finland from South to North provided us with the opportunity to visit the Kempower HQ in Lahti on 31 December 2024. The following texts are collected diary entries from Rick and Tobias. It was an amazing journey!
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(from Rick, 27/12/2024)
Kick-Off for the eNordkappChallenge 2024!
It all started today – our Team Kempower (#406) set off today on the first stage from the EnBW charging park in Chemnitz to Lodz. The weather? Perfect. The mood? Relaxed and motivated.
We are looking forward to collecting not only kilometres, but also exciting encounters over the next few days – and of course a stop at our headquarters in Lahti is also on the agenda.
Curious? Then join us on my or Tobias Kerls’ LinkedIn profile or in the #eNC2024 public Telegram group (https://t.me/eNordkapp). We promise exciting days ahead!
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(from Tobias, 29/12/2024)
Day 2 & 3: EV driving through the Baltics
After a restful first night in Łódź, Poland, day 2 took Rick Kynast all other drivers and me to Kaunas, Lithuania. In Kaunas, we were then presented with a highlight: the largest public charging park in the Baltic States at the Akropolis shopping center, which was equipped with Kempower hardware by the operator Eleport.
A big thank you goes to our Latvian colleague Martins Stirans who gave us a warm welcome in Kaunas and accompanied us all the way to Riga!
On the way to Tallinn, we were once again able to rely on the Kempower charging points from Eleport in Riga and Salacgrīva, Latvia – a reliable support for our trip. It was particularly nice to see that our passengers were also able to use various Kempower charging points along the way.
Now a short rest in Tallinn will not only recharge our car batteries but also our personal ones.
Looking forward to the next days!
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(from Rick, 31/12/2024)
Day 4 & 5: Visiting Kempower HQ in Lahti
After a rest day in the beautiful city of Tallinn, filled with great food, coffee, and a bit of sightseeing, we headed to Finland by ferry.
A quick drive through Helsinki brought us further north to a special stop: the Kempower HQ in Lahti.
Thanks to the amazing support from Philipp SCHIWEK, Mikko Malinen, Jyri Ruotsalainen and many more the eNordkapp Challenge participants had the chance to visit our headquarters and one of our factories – complete with lunch and, of course, free charging!
With New Year’s Eve approaching, most participants headed back to Helsinki for the celebrations and planned to catch a train to Kolari later today. But Tobias Kerls and I decided to take on the full challenge and drive all the way up, supported by the incredible charging infrastructure of our customers S-ryhmä / S Group , Neste and Recharge powered by Kempower technology.
One unforgettable highlight of the trip – and a personal bucket list moment – was seeing the northern lights for the first time just before reaching Oulu.
In Oulu, we had the pleasure of meeting our colleague Kari Laurikka for drinks and great conversations to ring in the New Year.
Now, we’re heading even further north, traveling close to the Swedish border and tomorrow night we’ll be in Norway.
Excited for the days ahead, with more cold, clear skies and incredible experiences!
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(from Tobias, 03/01/2025)
Day 5 & 6: Reaching the Goal – Nordkapp
After a week – including a break in Tallinn – we have finally reached our destination: the spectacular Nordkapp within the eNordkappChallenge!
𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆:
Starting in Düsseldorf (via the official starting point in Chemnitz), we traveled to the Nordkapp through Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland and Norway
Distance travelled: 3,941 kilometers
Energy consumption: 886 kWh, averaging 22.5 kWh/100 km
Temperatures: As low as -33°C
What makes us proud? We completed the journey without compromising comfort – the heating was set to a cozy 21°C throughout the trip. This was caused due to the great Kempower infrastructure in the Baltics and Scandics.
Highlights & challenges:
The last leg of the journey, from Innari (Finland) via Karasjok (Norway) to the Nordkapp, required some flexibility. An interesting challenge: At -33°C, energy consumption rose to 29 kWh/100 km due to the battery heating system and the increased energy demand for the cabin. In these extreme conditions, heating the car consumed almost as much energy as driving!
For our next trip to Nordkapp we hope that Nordic charging operators like Recharge, Neste, S-ryhmä / S Group (ABC Charging), St1 Nordic Oy, and Mer will expand their infrastructure with more Kempower hardware.
Looking ahead: Our return journey will take us through Sweden along the Gulf of Bothnia – approximately 3,100 kilometers. We expect lower energy consumption thanks to milder weather conditions.
A detailed update with more insights and data will follow after we return.
Thanks for following along!
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(from Rick, 16/01/2025)
Reflections on the eNordkappChallenge
– Back Home After an Unforgettable Journey
After a week back home, it’s time to look back on our incredible eNordkapp Challenge experience – both the return trip and the entire adventure.
We covered 7,300 kilometers with an energy consumption of 24,6kWh/100 km and without sacrificing comfort. We never felt cold – at least not inside the car! Outside, however, temperatures dropped to a chilling -32°C, truly testing both us and the equipment.
Our key learnings and highlights:
EVs are no longer a limiting factor, even for extreme long-distance winter road trips. Modern, standard electric vehicles handle it with ease – and reliable charging infrastructure makes all the difference.
Charging was never a challenge thanks to our Kempower partners: Neste, S-ryhmä / S Group (ABC Charging), St1 Nordic Oy, Recharge, Virta International GmbH, Circle K, Mer and Eleport.
Of course, on a journey this long, great company and entertainment matter just as much as technology. Huge shoutout to Tobias Kerls and all the other participants for the laughs, the shared moments, and the unforgettable memories. For the perfect soundtrack on the road, our Kempower Spotify Playlist always delivered – check it out if you haven’t already (Link in the comments!
A special shoutout to Nokian Tyres plc! The right tires made all the difference, keeping us safe, comfortable, and confident on icy Nordic roads.
Top highlights?
Witnessing the breathtaking northern lights
Encounters with reindeer wandering through the snowy landscapes
The vast, untouched nature and wide horizons of the Nordic countries
And most importantly: the warmth, hospitality, and kindness of everyone we met along the way
This journey was proof that electric mobility can handle even the most demanding conditions. Here’s to more unforgettable adventures, pushing boundaries, and inspiring change!
