Communicating the Case for Electric Vehicles at the Detroit Motor Show

DETROIT, January 10, 2011 -- Famous Danish writers and explorers Hjalte and Nina Tin are championing the suitability and sustainability of the electric car as their 'Moto Mundo Electric World Tour' rolls into town for Detroit's North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), which takes place January 10 - 23 2011.

The married couple, who left Copenhagen on June 25th 2010 to start the first ever worldwide electric car road trip has been invited by NAIAS organizers to exhibit their converted Nissan Qashquai family car during the world's largest motor show.

A key ambition of Hjalte and Nina is to show the world that electric vehicles are a viable choice, so the pair was keen to take along the latest in vehicular communications technology, the EXPLORER 325, which uses Inmarsat's BGAN service and was donated by Danish satcoms specialist, Thrane & Thrane.

Although they arrived in Detroit with barely a whisper from the electric motors that have carried them across Russia, through China and from San Francisco on their 36,000km circumnavigation, the team is hoping to make a noise during NAIAS, in a bid to convey the message that there is a viable, more environmentally friendly alternative to the internal combustion engine.

Hjalte explains: "Electric vehicles work. They can provide speed, range and convenience, yet they cause considerably less damage to our planet. The message is simple but communicating it is a challenge.

"We've been lucky in that we have been able to build a following from the road, as we are equipped with satellite technology that allows us to reach the world via the internet, even when we are moving at speed and out of cellular range."

The expedition has already visited a number of remote regions and the EXPLORER 325 system has been invaluable for blogging and updating the expedition website in addition to providing reliable safety and security communications.

"We are delighted to be able to contribute our technology if it helps Hjalte and Nina to tell the world their story. NAIAS is a hotbed of new tech, innovation and creativity, so it is the perfect platform for the Charge to Change team to show the world exactly what can be done with electric vehicles, and indeed for us to demonstrate the world of mobile satcoms to a whole new audience," adds Walther Thygesen, CEO, Thrane & Thrane.

A Moto Mundo Electric World Tour press conference takes place at NAIAS on 01/11/2010, on the Michigan Hall stage.

About Thrane & Thrane

Thrane & Thrane is the world's leading manufacturer of equipment and systems for global mobile radio and satellite communication. Since its incorporation in 1981, it has established a strong position within global mobile communication solutions, providing equipment for use on land, at sea and in the air. The company's communication products are sold worldwide under the brandsThrane & Thrane, EXPLORERTM SAILOR(R) and AVIATOR. Thrane & Thrane is listed on NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen (symbol: THRAN). Thrane.com.