This VW ID. Buzz Drove Through 92 Countries In 445 Days Without Breaking Down

Key Takeaways

• The VW ID. Buzz completed a 445-day journey across 92 countries without a single breakdown, earning a Guinness World Record.
• The ID. Buzz was driven 62,036 miles (99,767 km) and retained 95.75 percent of its original battery capacity.
• The electric van was charged more than 300 times during the trip, with some charging stops made at national substations in countries without public charging networks.
• Rainer Zietlow drove the ID. Buzz throughout the journey, which included crossing continents and shipping the vehicle on container ships.
• China was noted as having a particularly well-developed charging network and broad EV adoption.

How Did the ID. Buzz Perform on the Journey?

The VW ID. Buzz Pro model used for the journey was equipped with an 86-kWh battery pack, giving it up to 309 miles (497 km) of WLTP range.

Despite this range, the ID. Buzz required over 300 charging stops to complete the journey, with some charging stops made at national substations in countries without public charging networks.

However, the ID. Buzz performed admirably, retaining 95.75 percent of its original battery capacity after the 445-day journey.

What Were Some of the Challenges Faced During the Journey?

One of the biggest challenges faced by Rainer Zietlow was the lack of public charging networks in some countries, such as Tanzania and Zambia.

In these countries, the ID. Buzz had to be charged at national substations, which posed a significant logistical challenge.

Additionally, the ID. Buzz had to be shipped on container ships to cross continents, which added to the complexity of the journey.

What Does This Journey Say About the Practicality of Electric Vehicles?

The successful completion of this journey by the VW ID. Buzz demonstrates the practicality of electric vehicles for long-distance travel.

Despite the challenges faced, the ID. Buzz performed admirably, and the journey highlighted the importance of developing public charging networks to support the adoption of EVs.

How Does the ID. Buzz Compare to Other Electric Vehicles?

The ID. Buzz’s range of up to 309 miles (497 km) is not class-leading in the ultra-competitive EV space.

However, the ID. Buzz’s performance on this journey demonstrates its capabilities and highlights the importance of considering factors beyond just range when evaluating the practicality of an EV.

What Are the Implications of This Journey for the Electric Vehicle Industry?

The successful completion of this journey by the VW ID. Buzz has significant implications for the electric vehicle industry.

It demonstrates the potential for EVs to be used for long-distance travel and highlights the importance of developing public charging networks to support the adoption of EVs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many countries did the VW ID. Buzz visit during its journey?

The VW ID. Buzz visited 92 countries during its 445-day journey.

Q: How many charging stops did the ID. Buzz make during the journey?

The ID. Buzz made over 300 charging stops during the journey.

Q: What was the total distance driven by the ID. Buzz during the journey?

The ID. Buzz was driven 62,036 miles (99,767 km) during the journey.