A NORTH Yorkshire filmmaker and engineer have teamed up to make a road movie that they hope will show clean transport is closer than we think.

Malton’s Finn Varney will accompany Fred Spaven – from West Heslerton – as he makes the “iconic” journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats – on a converted electric motorbike called the Charging Bullet.

On the three-week, 1200-mile journey, the pair will make recharging stops with other environmentally-minded engineers, visit the world’s first house to be lit entirely by hydroelectric power, and speak to the transport minister, Jesse Norman, MP for Hereford.

Spaven’s work is nearly complete on a 1961 Royal Enfield Bullet, which he has packed with 18 batteries in all, giving it a 75-mile range and a top cruising speed of 60mph. They are now just awaiting DVLA documentation before their scheduled departure on Monday, October 8.

The long-term hope is the bike will be used for commuting.

Varney said: “It’s the most iconic journey we have and doing it on an electric bike addresses current environmental concerns.

“Sustainable transport is just out of grasp now, but the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle are falling into place. There’s momentum in low-carbon vehicles, if you’ll pardon the pun.”

The 28-year-old Malton resident also assuaged fears the film could be an onslaught of facts and figures, saying: “We will also stop at areas of natural beauty – it’s not just a film to fill your head with pub quiz trivia. We’re very excited. When we do set off, though, the relief will be very short-lived and will be overtaken by the enormity of filming on the road.”

The team are running a crowdfunding campaign through Kickstarter to cover essential journey expenses, with rewards on offer. Invitation screenings take place early in the new year and streaming links are available in summer.