Sustainable adventurer | Project 'Plug Me In'
Wiebe Wakker
Sustainable adventurer Wiebe Wakker is known for his project "Plug Me In," in which he travels from the Netherlands to New Zealand in an electric car to share knowledge and inspire.
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About Wiebe Wakker
Wiebe Wakker is a sustainable adventurer, known for his journey of over three and a half years in an electric car from the Netherlands to New Zealand. With his project "Plug Me In," Wiebe wanted to impart knowledge, inspire people and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future.
Wiebe's dream began as a graduation project at the Utrecht School of the Arts and turned into a global adventure. Starting with no money and with only an electric car, a camera and some clothes, Wiebe wanted to reach the other side of the world. People were able to support him by offering him a meal, a place to sleep or electricity for the car. Thousands of people signed up and so the route of the trip was determined: from Houten to Italy, then up again to the North Cape to turn around from there and then via Eastern Europe, the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia to reach Australia. In the end, Wiebe crisscrossed 34 countries and covered 100,450 km in 1,222 days.
World-wise
In all the countries where Wiebe ended up, he visited sustainable initiatives that he reported on social media. Wiebe knows better than anyone else what is happening in different parts of the world in terms of renewable energy, food-waste and social enterprises.
Needless to say, many challenges crossed his path. In India, the charger of his electric Blue Bandit exploded and in Indonesia he was finally stranded when his battery filled up with water. But everywhere Wiebe drove he was offered help from locals and his online community. In Dubai Wiebe stayed with wealthy sheikhs, in Malaysia he had lunch with a famous prince and in Indonesia he became a real celebrity who even appeared in the tabloids.
Longest trip ever in an EV
After 1,119 days, 33 countries and 95,000 km, Wiebe reached his final destination Sydney, making it the longest journey ever in an electric car. This milestone became world news, among others CNN, BBC, NOS and news bulletins in 40 different countries paid attention to the accomplishment of this special journey. Wiebe thus reached one billion people.
All this attention caused fans from New Zealand to raise money to take Wiebe and his car there, and so Wiebe reached the southernmost point on that side of the world after more than 3.5 years of driving.
Working together is the key
Now that Wiebe has returned from his trip, he shares his experiences and lessons. For example, he tells companies how they can use earned media and social media to reach a mega audience, he inspires audiences by enthusiastically sharing how he was able to keep going despite challenges that would drive anyone to despair, and he has a motivational presentation about how he traveled the world by working together. He does this all based on situations he encountered during the journey, often with a comedic touch and always with a meaningful message.
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Jan Peter Balkenende
“Susanne Baars, a woman on a mission to present a new resolution of self-ownership over genetic data to the UN and world governments across the globe as a fundamental right that needs universal protection. Using her expertise knowledge about genetics to contribute to a more sustainable and fair world with less disease suffering. I admire her drive, perseverance and courage. Susanne is giving hope to people.”
References
"Our staff came away more informed about EVs and inspired to live a little more sustainably in their own lives."
"DB Breweries/HEINEKEN was lucky to host Wiebe on the last leg of his around-the-world trip in New Zealand. Wiebe’s authentic, easy going style presentation style was well-received by our
staff and his talk was both entertaining and informative. Our staff came away more informed about EVs and inspired to live a little more sustainably in their own lives."
"What a beautiful story and presentation!"
"Wiebe told us how he travelled through 34 countries with an electric car and without financial means. His journey was not an easy one, one with many obstacles and challenges. In an energetic and funny way he told his story. Especially his message about sustainability came across strongly, a theme we work on every day within our organisation. Wiebe met a lot of people and was able to share the purpose of his journey with the people met, which inspired and convinced a lot of people to start thinking more about sustainability. He also inspired our team. I would highly recommend him as a speaker!"
"With his down-to-earth humorous comments on the visual spectacle, Wiebe knows how to captivate to the end."
"We really enjoyed Wiebe's stories about his bizarre trip to Australia in an electric car. It was very inspiring to hear him talk about the more than 95,000 kilometres and 33 countries of the longest
journey ever in an electric car. With his down-to-earth humorous comments on the visual spectacle, Wiebe knows how to captivate to the end. You get the urge to travel and it helps almost therapeutically against "range anxiety" ?"
"After you have heard his story, you know that you can achieve your goals, even if they seem totally unattainable."
"Visitors to Ecomobiel were very enthusiastic about Wiebe's presentation. Wiebe's journey is unique and so is his story. Wiebe inspires, makes people think and provides a comic note. After
you have heard his story, you know that you can achieve your goals, even if they seem totally unattainable."
"Wiebe, your story inspires!"
"On 24 October we organised a so-called pressure cooker session. With the business community, young people, government and education, to come up with smart solutions about the changes in
education and the labour market in relation to the energy transition. In order to show how fast the world is changing and what is possible, we needed inspiration. We asked Wiebe for that. And this turned out to be great; the success of the day, for young and old. Afterwards, everyone wanted a photo with Wiebe and signature. Wiebe, your story inspires!"
"As an innovation centre in the creative industry, we are always looking for inspiration: Wiebe certainly gave us that."
"With his story about his world trip in an electric car, he managed to enthuse the companies in the room and, not unimportantly, make them laugh. Wiebe speaks in a down-toearth and spontaneous way and really stands as himself on the stage. He makes you think, not only about sustainability but especially about jumping in at the deep end and going on an adventure. I can heartily recommend Wiebe as a speaker in the business world."
"This can inspire everyone in the field of sustainable mobility, the goodness of people and problem-solving!"
"At 'Impact Event Sustainable Zeist', Wiebe gave a fantastic presentation about his journey in an electric car from the Netherlands to Australia. During his lively talk, interspersed with anecdotes,
self-mockery and humour, everyone was hanging on his every word. Many beautiful photos and videos made his story and the challenges he faced understandable. This can inspire everyone in
the field of sustainable mobility, the goodness of people and problem-solving!"