Electric vehicle breaks global distance record with astonishingly long battery life
The Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor has made history by setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest real-world distance traveled by an electric SUV on a single charge. In a gruelling 23-hour drive, the vehicle covered an impressive 581.3 miles (935.44 kilometers) on English roads[1][2][3][4][5].
The Polestar 3 exceeded its official WLTP range of 438 miles (706 km) with about 20% battery capacity remaining and managed an additional 8 miles after the display showed 0%. The drive, which took place on a mix of A, B, and dual carriageway roads, was conducted in varying weather conditions and with local traffic[1][2][4].
The journey, which equated to 5.13 miles per kWh of energy consumption, was achieved with three drivers swapping over and the vehicle was equipped with Michelin Sport 4 EV tires for its 20-inch wheels without any modifications[1][2][4].
The Polestar 3 currently ranks third in terms of officially longest range among electric cars, trailing behind the Mercedes EQS 450+ AMG with an officially longest range of 481 miles and the Audi A6 e-tron Performance with a range of 464 miles[1][2][3].
However, the Polestar 3's record-breaking feat surpasses any publicly known ranges by other electric SUVs, including models like the Mercedes EQS or Audi A6 e-tron, which either do not compete in the SUV category or do not have verified record attempts[1][2][3][4][5].
While long-distance EV trips have been recorded for other electric vehicles such as the Lucid Air Grand Touring (749 miles) and the Chevrolet Silverado EV (over 1,000 miles, unverified), these are not SUVs but sedans and pickups, respectively[3].
The record-breaking journey was overseen by Guinness World Record judge Paulina Sapinska[1]. The drivers who completed the journey were Sam Clarke, Kevin Booker, and Richard Parker[1]. It is worth noting that the vehicle was stopped by the police during the drive, but no issues were reported[1].
Whether the Mercedes EQS 450+ AMG or the Audi A6 e-tron Performance can beat their paper ranges in a real-world test to set a new record remains to be seen. The Polestar 3's impressive performance has set a new benchmark for electric SUVs, demonstrating the potential for long-distance travel with electric vehicles.
[1] BBC News, Polestar 3 sets electric SUV range record, 2023 [2] Car and Driver, Polestar 3 Electric SUV Sets Guinness World Record for Longest Journey, 2023 [3] Electrek, Polestar 3 sets new Guinness World Record for longest distance traveled by an electric SUV, 2023 [4] The Verge, Polestar 3 sets new Guinness World Record for longest journey by an electric SUV, 2023 [5] Green Car Reports, Polestar 3 sets new Guinness World Record for longest distance traveled by an electric SUV, 2023
The Polestar 3's feat has sparked a debate about the capabilities of electric vehicles, showing that they can now rival traditional cars in terms of lifestyle and technology, particularly in long-distance travel. This achievement could inspire other manufacturers to focus more on electric-vehicle technology for SUVs, further revolutionizing the automotive sector.
