PLUG ME IN

WIEBE WAKKER’S ADVENTURE & TALKS

Wiebe Wakker standing next to his Blue Bandit electric car, in front of Uluru, Australia.
Wiebe Wakker from the back, he is facing an audience while he is speaking on stage in a theatre.

ABOUT ME

My name is Wiebe Wakker and I drove from the Netherlands to Australia in an electric car, the Blue Bandit, without spending a penny.

This journey took me 3 years and I travelled through 33 countries. Like every adventure I faced challenges, had highlights, life lessons and I experienced a lot of human connection.

Now I returned home I share my unique story as a speaker. I link my adventure to themes that play within organisations such as perseverance, collaboration and sustainability.

Wiebe Wakker speaking on stage.
Wiebe Wakker sitting on the bonnet of his electric car, next to a kangaroo warning sign in the outback of Australia.

About ME

My name is Wiebe Wakker and I drove from the Netherlands to Australia in an electric car, the Blue Bandit, without spending a penny.

This journey took me 3 years and I travelled through 33 countries. Like every adventure I faced challenges, had highlights, life lessons and I experienced a lot of human connection.

Now I returned home I share my unique story as a speaker. I link my adventure to themes that play within organisations such as perseverance, collaboration and sustainability.

Speaker Wiebe Wakker on a big stage with a big screen
Wiebe Wakker sitting on the bonet of his electic car on a road in Australia next to a kangaroo warning sign.

IT ALL STARTED WITH
A CRAZY IDEA

It all started with a crazy idea

HOW HUMAN CONNECTION AND A PLUG GOT ME TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD

About Plug Me In

For my graduation project, I chose a challenge that fascinated me: how do you travel to the other side of the world without money?

I came up with this project, ‘Plug Me In.’ I called on people to help me reach Sydney by selecting their location on this website and offering me a meal, place to sleep or electricity for the car.

The route was not predetermined. It was determined based on all the “Plug Me In’s.” 1800 people from 75 countries signed up and each offer of help sent me on a new path, making my journey not only a physical one, but also a journey of human connection.

Select location

Anyone could select their location by dropping a marker on a collaborative map.

Offer energy

Now people could invite me and offer me a meal, place to sleep or electricity for the car.

Set my route

My route was determined by the offers I received, I had no idea how or even if I would reach my destination.

Adventure

That my journey became an adventure of a lifetime is an understatement.
Check these photos for a short impression of things that happened and locations I drove through.

Mission Accomplished: Arriving in Sydney

On 7 April 2019, I finally reached Sydney, my final destination. After 1,119 days, 33 countries and 95,000 km, I finally stood in front of that world-famous Opera House and my trip became the longest journey in an electric car, ever.

More than 350 people hosted me and I received help from many other people, companies and organisations. My arrival became world news and was featured on TV channels in more than 40 countries and in hundreds of articles. Even CNN, BBC, NOS News and National Geographic covered it.

However, the trip did not end at the Opera House. By invitation, I moved on to New Zealand, where I wrapped up my adventure on 19 July 2019 in Bluff, the southernmost tip of the country, adding a few more kilometres.

Wiebe Wakker at the finish of his journey. He is standing with his electric car on stage in front of the Sydney Opera House, celebrating his arrival with champagne. Next to him is a man celebrating.
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The Longest EV Journey in History

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Recap

Relive my journey through this video.

Recap

Relive my journey through this video.

My story in the museum

After this record-breaking journey, my story became part of an exhibition showcasing the future of mobility.

It was an incredible honor to see my project celebrated at the Autostadt Museum in Wolfsburg, the headquarters of VW in Germany

Several photo’s, information about my journey, videos and of course the Blue Bandit were on display for a year at Autostadt.

Wiebe Wakker with his blue bandit electric car in an exposition at the Autostadt Museum in Wolfsburg.

Mission Accomplished: Arriving in Sydney

On 7 April 2019, I finally reached Sydney, my final destination. After 1,119 days, 33 countries and 95,000 km, I finally stood in front of that world-famous Opera House and became the longest journey in an electric car, ever.

More than 350 people welcomed me and I received help from many other people, companies and organisations. My arrival became world news and was featured on TV channels in more than 40 countries and in hundreds of articles. Even CNN, BBC, NOS News and National Geographic covered it.

However, the trip did not end at the Opera House. By invitation, I moved on to New Zealand, where I wrapped up my adventure on 19 July 2019 in Bluff, the southernmost tip of the country, adding a few more kilometres.

Wiebe Wakker at the finish of his journey. He is standing with his electric car on stage in front of the Sydney Opera House, celebrating his arrival with champagne. Next to him is a man celebrating.
CNN logo
BBC logo
The Guardian logo
National Geographic Logo
The Times Logo
World Economic Forum Logo
Metro Logo
Bloomberg Logo
Top Gear Logo
Buzzfeed Logo
Business Insider Logo
Sky News Logo
Profile photo of Wiebe Wakker

WIEBE AS A SPEAKER

As a speaker, I tell a passionate story about making dreams come true and getting stronger through adversity. About showing courage, making choices, working successfully together, my path to a more sustainable life and through my renewed view of the world, I paint a positive worldview.

My presentations fit any sector and my experiences, although extreme, are recognisable to everyone.

I tell in a personal way, from my own experiences and using a highly visual presentation that will make you laugh, think and give your energy.

  • Collaboration

  • Dealing with setbacks

  • Reaching goals

  • Embracing change and uncertainty

  • Embracing sustainability

  • Breaking the resistance to electric driving

  • Inspiration and new energy

  • Challenging people to step out of their comfort zone

I PREVIOUSLY JOINED

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