CHASING
FREE MOBILITY

PROJECT 03

Breaking Barriers with the Power of the Sun

17,000 km across Africa, through 16 countries,
with 4 electric cars and 1 electric bike.

A landmark journey in clean energy.

Zenventures documents La Croisière Verte, a cinematic odyssey of solar mobility, culture and the vibrant diversity of an entire continent.

LA CROISIERE VERTE TEASER
(Eng. subtitles)

Crossing Africa:
A 100% Electric Adventure

Zenventures proudly unveils a pioneering expedition—the first of its kind—to cross Africa entirely with electric vehicles powered by autonomous charging systems. This groundbreaking journey exemplifies our commitment to clean energy and technological innovation, reshaping the possibilities of sustainable exploration.

CHASING FREE MOBILITY: Group of children and adults outdoors with solar panels and a solar-powered vehicle, smiling for a photo in a rural area with trees and buildings in the background.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: Three people standing outdoors in front of a small ELECTRIC vehicle (CITROEN AMIE), holding an award, with a hill and a statue in the background.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: Close-up of Éric Vigouroux, a middle-aged man with short dark hair and blue eyes, wearing a light blue T-shirt, sitting inside a vehicle looking to the left.

Meet theTeam Leader

About Éric Vigouroux

Éric Vigouroux is a renowned rally-raid driver and innovator in sustainable mobility. Over a motorsport career spanning more than 20 years, he participated in world-class events such as the Dakar Rally, earning victories and accolades, including the FIA World Cup in the two-wheel-drive category in 2010.

Passionate about advancing renewable energy, Éric transitioned from motorsport to groundbreaking environmental projects. In 2018, he collaborated with students to develop a solar-powered buggy and successfully crossed Australia’s Simpson Desert. Most recently, in 2024, he spearheaded the “Croisière Verte,” a 17,000-kilometre journey across Africa in fully electric Citroën Ami vehicles, highlighting the potential of sustainable energy for the future of mobility.

Through his dedication to performance and innovation, Éric Vigouroux continues to inspire progress in eco-friendly technologies.

On a Journey to the Freedom of Sustainable Mobility

  • Aerial view of a solar farm with multiple solar panels, electric vehicles, and motorcycles in a desert landscape with mountains in the background.

    The sun is our fuel

    The expedition is powered by four cutting-edge Citroën electric vehicles, engineered for endurance and efficiency. These vehicles feature advanced self-sufficient charging systems that harness solar energy, allowing them to operate independently of traditional infrastructure. This innovative approach underscores the practicality and potential of electric transportation, even in the most remote areas.

  • CHASING FREE MOBILITY: A small dark gray electric vehicle driving on a dusty dirt road at sunset in a rural or safari setting, with trees and bushes on each side of the road.

    The sand is our road

    Our route spans thousands of kilometers through uncharted terrain, from the vast deserts of the Sahara to the vibrant cities and lush landscapes of southern Africa. Each journey segment presents a unique test for electric mobility, demonstrating how renewable energy can meet even the toughest challenges.

  • CHASING FREE MOBILITY: A Group of people, including children and adults, gathered around outdoor equipment in a desert landscape with solar panels in the background.

    The team is our spirit

    Such an adventure is not only thrilling and captivating but also incredibly demanding, requiring an iron will to persevere through its entirety. Unwavering trust and exceptional dedication form the foundation of such an expedition. We are deeply aware of the privilege of embarking on this journey and cherish every interaction with local communities, official representatives and supporters we encounter along the way.
    The journey is the destination, and we deeply enjoy being on the road.

The Earthshot Prize
5 Projects Captured in Africa

The Earthshot Prize is a global initiative founded by Prince William to discover, spotlight, and scale innovative solutions to the planet’s greatest environmental challenges.

During our African expedition, we captured the stories of several remarkable Earthshot-affiliated projects, translating their real-world impact into a cinematic narrative that reveals the continent’s resilience, creativity, and drive for environmental change.

Inside Africa’s Environmental Transformation

For the first time, our Zenventures team has documented five trailblazing Earthshot Prize projects in a cohesive sequence across Africa—creating a unique visual testament to ingenuity and transformative action on the continent.

LONO, Ivory Coast (Biomass & Solar Energy for Rural Electrification) designs and implements renewable energy solutions—especially biomass and solar systems—to bring reliable power to rural communities and organisations.

LONO, Ivory Coast (Biomass & Solar Energy for Rural Electrification) designs and implements renewable energy solutions—especially biomass and solar systems—to bring reliable power to rural communities and organisations.

Solar Taxi, Ghana (E‑Mobility with Electric Bikes & EVs) has evolved from a solar-powered taxi pilot into a leading e‑mobility provider in Ghana, offering electric bikes, cars, and even buses to transform sustainable transport.

Solar Taxi, Ghana (E‑Mobility with Electric Bikes & EVs) has evolved from a solar-powered taxi pilot into a leading e‑mobility provider in Ghana, offering electric bikes, cars, and even buses to transform sustainable transport.

Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) in Ghana: This youth-led NGO - and recipient of the Earthshot Prize 2024 - empowers young Africans with climate leadership, clean-air solutions, zero‑waste strategies, and waste‑to‑resource innovations.

Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) in Ghana: This youth-led NGO - and recipient of the Earthshot Prize 2024 - empowers young Africans with climate leadership, clean-air solutions, zero‑waste strategies, and waste‑to‑resource innovations.

Kuzikus Wildlife Reserve, in Namibia (Black Rhino Conservation) Supporting the national Black Rhino Custodian Project since the early 1990s, Kuzikus has become a pivotal private reserve for breeding, conservation, and educational eco-tourism.

Kuzikus Wildlife Reserve, in Namibia (Black Rhino Conservation) Supporting the national Black Rhino Custodian Project since the early 1990s, Kuzikus has become a pivotal private reserve for breeding, conservation, and educational eco-tourism.

Green Riders (E‑Bike Delivery & Youth Empowerment) in South Africa is revolutionising last‑mile delivery with e‑bikes that reduce emissions, create green jobs for youth, and promote safety in urban logistics.

Green Riders (E‑Bike Delivery & Youth Empowerment) in South Africa is revolutionising last‑mile delivery with e‑bikes that reduce emissions, create green jobs for youth, and promote safety in urban logistics.

A Journey into a more Sustainable Future

The Green Expedition – A Historic Journey Reimagined

La Croisière Verte reinterprets the legendary 1924 African expedition La Croisière Noire in a profoundly modern and sustainable context. One hundred years later, adventurer Éric Vigouroux and his team embark on a 17,000-kilometre crossing of Africa, not with roaring combustion engines but with electric vehicles powered by the sun.

Launching symbolically on October 28, 2024, in Ouarzazate, Morocco—exactly a century after the original departure—the expedition blends homage with innovation. Modified Citroën AMIs, fitted with solar panels and extended batteries, echo the daring spirit of the past while offering a striking vision of clean mobility for the future.

Crossing 16 countries, La Croisière Verte is both a cultural tribute and a living laboratory for sustainable technology. It transforms a historic milestone in exploration into a story of ecological urgency, cultural encounters and vibrant societal diversity across an entire continent.

This documentary will stand as a landmark film — uniting heritage and innovation, adventure and sustainability, cultural diversity and ecological urgency. It transforms a historic expedition into a timeless narrative of how humanity can reimagine mobility and confront the future with vision and courage.

CHASING FREE MOBILITY: La croisiere noire - A line of vintage automobiles with passengers, some wearing hats, traveling across a rural landscape with sparse trees and rolling hills in the background, in black and white.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: A man kneeling on the dirt ground working on the rear wheel of a damaged vehicle, possibly a three-wheeled car, in a rural setting with people and trees in the background.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: Map of Africa with a face outline, a plug and lightning bolt symbol, and text reading "La Croisière Verte 2024" and dates "28 Oct. 2024 > Jan. 2025".

Navigating the Road to a Greener World

Our documentary brings to light clear proof that solar mobility is ready to move beyond experiment and into everyday life. The journey reveals how adventure and sustainability can coexist, while pointing to a future where clean energy delivers real-world solutions. We invite viewers to witness the dawn of a new era—where innovation, responsibility and storytelling light the way toward sustainable mobility for all.

CHASING FREE MOBILITY: Four small grey vehicles driving on a dirt road through a lush, green forested area.
Zenventures CHASING FREE MOBILITY Map of Africa "La Croisière Verte"
A group of enthusiastic people, including local residents and volunteers, celebrating in front of a small vehicle and purple scooter on a street with houses in the background
Four women and two children walking on a dirt path carrying baskets on their heads in a rural setting, with dry grass and trees in the background.
Camping scene in a grassy field with trees, featuring three electric rental vehicles, several tents, and people setting up or adjusting gear.
Two elderly men standing outdoors near a makeshift grill made from a metal drum, with a small animal on a leash nearby, under a cloudy sky in a rural area.
A large group of people sitting around a table with mostly empty plates, eating and celebrating, in a cozy living room with a mix of adults and children.
A busy road with cars, trucks, and pedestrians, with a large billboard advertising religious messages and multiple smaller billboards and signs in the background.
Lifeless boats on a sandy beach lined with palm trees, with ocean waves in the background.
A man riding a motorbike near a wildfire with smoke and flames on dry grass and bushes, wearing a black helmet and sunglasses.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: People working on repairing a small vehicle under a large tree on a dirt roadside, with various tools and tools on the ground.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: SCENE IN AFRICA
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: People swimming in the ocean with a sandy beach and palm trees in the background, along with beachside huts and structures.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: Group of people sitting on a green sofa, celebrating Christmas with Santa hats, a woman wearing reindeer glasses, a Christmas tree, and a table with snacks in front of them.
A diverse group of people standing in a circle outdoors, many raising their hands, with solar panels and a small electric vehicle in the center, celebrating a renewable energy project in an African setting with trees and sunlight in the background.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: Group of five people outdoors near four compact electric vehicles, with a large tree and green trees in the background.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: Four people sitting around a portable table outdoors, having a meal during a camping trip in a grassy field with tents and a small vehicle in the background.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: People sitting on chairs having a picnic or meeting under a large tree in a grassy open field with small off-road vehicles and motorcycles parked nearby.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: Aerial view of ELECTRIC cars driving on a wet road through a lush green rainforest with foggy weather.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: Five TEAM MEMBERS OF LA CROISIERE VERTE standing next to electric cars and AN ELECTRIC motorcycle on wet pavement near the seaside, with palm trees, blue sky, and clouds in the background.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: A rural road with vehicles and pedestrians, alongside a large welcome sign reading 'Bienvenue à Lambaréné' featuring a man in a red military uniform with medals, trees, and a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.
A muddy dirt road in a rural area with two trucks stuck and vehicles trying to free them; one truck is off the road where it is stuck in mud, and the other truck is parked nearby; people are working to clear the mud and assist the vehicles. Lush gree
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: A small gray vehicle driving through a muddy water puddle on a dirt road surrounded by green grass and bushes.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: Aerial view of lush green wetlands and rice paddies with a river on the right side, including small buildings near the water's edge and dense trees nearby.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: A man is pressure washing a partially disassembled small electric car inside a garage.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: A lumber yard with logs stacked in large piles near a river, with train tracks and a railway platform on the left side, and a few people walking around.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: Group of people holding a banner at a port, surrounded by others, with industrial buildings and ships in the background, promoting green cruising and tourism in Congo.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: A large red cargo ship on a river with many people and goods, with a city skyline in the background, emitting black smoke from the ship's chimney.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: Group of people gathered outdoors, forming a circle with some raising their hands, around a solar panel and a small electric vehicle, with trees in the background.
An outdoor event on a basketball court with a group of children gathered around a man speaking into a microphone. The scene includes a solar panel on the ground and a small electric vehicle parked near the man. Trees and a fence are seen in the backg
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: A group of people gathered outdoors in a rural area, celebrating around cars with a large flag featuring a yellow star, red and black colours. The background includes brick buildings, utility poles, and a cloudy sky.
A group of children and women gathered around a woman on a black Murtas TX-EVO motorcycle in an outdoor area, with a woman holding a black, red, and yellow flag. The scene appears lively and social, with buildings and overcast sky in the background.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: A person riding a motorcycle past a flipped-over, overturned semi-truck and a row of crashed tires on a dirt road with a blue sky and trees in the background.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: Crowded street filled with motorcycles, cars, and pedestrians, with small shops and market stalls on the sides, in an urban area.

Let’s tell the real story

Africa holds extraordinary natural treasures, rich wildlife and lush vegetation. Yet the consequences of human activity are painfully visible across this vast continent. More than ever, urgent action is needed to protect the environment and safeguard these fragile ecosystems for generations to come.

Through unfiltered images and authentic stories, we capture a raw and unvarnished view of Africa’s beauty and its struggles — a side the world has rarely witnessed. Join us in raising awareness and building a lasting legacy for the future — because the time to act is now.

CHASING FREE MOBILITY: Line of white trucks carrying large logs on a rural road surrounded by green trees and grass.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: A foggy road running through a dense green jungle with five cars traveling in a line.
CHASING FREE MOBILITY: A logging site with stacked logs, a bulldozer, and disturbed ground surrounded by greenery and a body of water.
CLAUDIO VON PLANTA, wearing a motorcycle helmet and riding gear, is taking a selfie on a country road with a large truck carrying logs behind him.
A riverside construction or logging site with stacked logs, small buildings, heavy machinery, and cleared land surrounded by trees
A small black electric vehicle driving on a dusty dirt road at sunset in a rural area with trees and hills in the background.
Claudio von Planta, filmmaker at Zenventures

“Fear neither dirt nor effort when it comes to telling an important story.”

Claudio von Planta, filmmaker & producer

Two men interview each other with microphones outdoors near the beach. A journalist operates a camera with a person wearing a headset in the foreground. Behind the interviewers, there are multiple small electric vehicles and a motorcycle parked on a
Group of people near electric vehicles and a motorcycle on a beach promenade with the ocean, sand, and mountains in the background.
A lighthouse on a rocky coast with a sandy beach and ocean waves.