Energy, Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Forum, Transport

This year's marathon will take place 1st-10th June and passes through 10 countries and 29 cities, including this year's European Capital of Culture Maribor. Compared to last year there have been changes in the route and instead of the Scandinavian countries, the marathon will drive through the Baltics and Poland this year. "All our stops will be on the main squares of the cities," said the main organizer of the event the Honorary Consul of Monaco in Estonia Jüri Tamm. "The finish of the whole marathon and the prize-giving ceremony will take place on the square in front Prince’s Palace, where cars are usually not allowed!", informs Media Manager of  Electric Marathon 2012 Kristel Peikel.

"It continues to be a maximum of six vehicles for the whole route this year, this is due to the charging capacities," said Tamm. "We are especially glad that Estonians will see a new generation of electric luxury car – Fisker Karma at the start of the marathon in Tallinn," Tamm said, adding that the there will be a lot more exciting machines at different stages this year.”

A new and exciting thing to be undertaken this year is the relay race of Mitsubishis between Tallinn and Pärnu. "We invite our local governments to hurry up – the first nine teams to sign up to take their government Mitsubishis to the start will be able to participate with all the other starting cars. The relay will take place in Märjamaa and the pilots will continue from there with another Mitsubishi provided for them with fully charged batteries, "said Tamm. “Silberauto will organize the transport of the Mitsubishis of local governments to the start in front of theater Estonia, from the interim finish in Märjamaa to back home. Two Mitsubishis will participate in Tallinn-Pärnu stage without the interim charging."

For the first time within the context of marathon an international photo competition will take place with awards offered by Pentax who is also is a supporter of the marathon for the second year running. The competition will take place in two parts – public and professional competition. The aim is to capture everything related to the electric marathon.

Before the start of the marathon the 31st of May there will be an official opening party in Olympic Casino in Tallinn. All the participating cars will be shown to public on the Reval Park Hotel & Casino parking lot. In addition a variety of commercially available hybrid and electric powered cars we be exposed. A Latvian electric vehicle OSCar eO that has participated in the Dakar Rally will be present. Live music is performed by the band Outloudz. A variety of exciting activities and presentations will take place in the Police Park from 18.00. Olympic Casino's hands over a check for support of young cyclists.

"Electric Car race is not a normal sports competitions, but an event raising people's awareness as well as regional, national and inter-city cooperation," said Jüri Tamm. "The remote control electric cars are very common toys amongst children but when people see an electric vehicle on the street they feel that this is some weird gadget," said Tamm. "A mobile phone was also perceived the same way and today there is one in everyone’s pocket."

The Gold sponsors of Electric Marathon 2012 are ENSTO, Fortum, Olympic Casino, Colonna estate. Silver sponsors are Pentax, Free Port of Riga, City of Tallinn, Kuehne + Nagel, Elite Rent and ABC Motors. Partners are Tiki Trailers, RGB Baltic, Sangar, Nissan, Kalev, myHistro, Ehasoo ja Partners, Zone Media, Immagic Group.