What do discarded batteries from BMW electric vehicles, second-life solar panels and an Orang Asli village deep in the jungles of Pahang have in common? Quite a lot, as I discovered at Kampung Saweh, Pos Sinderut, reached by a 70km jungle trail that takes about two hours to negotiate.
We had volunteered our 4WD vehicles to transport a Universiti Malaya team to the village. This mission was particularly interesting because it combined rural electrification, renewable energy and the reuse of electric vehicle batteries.
As a veteran off-roader, I've spent decades exploring jungle trails and enjoying camping by rivers. These days, one of the more satisfying uses of our 4x4 vehicles is transporting volunteers and equipment to marginalised rural communities.
