- An unmodified Polestar 3 has set the Guinness World Record for the longest journey travelled on a single charge for an electric SUV, achieving a distance of 581.3 miles.
- Taking place across UK roads, the near 23 hour journey took place across mostly flat A roads, B roads, and dual carriageways.
- The Long Range Single Motor variant used in the test has an official WLTP range of 438 miles, highlighting once more how EVs can easily meet or exceed their claimed range with the right conditions and some efficient driving techniques.
Polestar 3 cracks nearly 600 miles on a full charge
The feat was achieved by Kevin Booker, Sam Clarke, and Richard Parker, with the three drivers switching seats every three hours, and achieving an average efficiency of 19.5 kWh per 100 miles across the whole trip. Once the journey’s distance hit 438 miles, the same as the Polestar 3’s official range, the battery was still showing a remaining capacity of 20%, allowing for the additional 140-plus miles to be driven.
Without the rain and standing water that was present for some of the test, increasing the rolling resistance and impairing efficiency, the drivers reckon that the 581.3 mile record could have been pushed even further.
The 581.3 miles covered isn’t the longest EV distance on a single charge as verified by the Guinness World Records, with that award going to the Lucid Air, which covered 748 miles on a single charge last month. However, it marks the longest distance travelled on a single charge for an electric SUV in particular. The car had received zero modifications over a standard customer Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor, running on standard 20-inch alloys wrapped in Michelin Sport 4 EV tyres.
Both Webfleet and The AA helped to support the effort, with Webfleet providing verified video footage, and telemetry data such as odometer readings, GPS readings, and battery level data, helping the achievement to be officially recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records.
It’s now clear that modern EVs are seriously capable when it comes to travelling long distances, even if most drivers will need to stop for a break with the opportunity to recharge on such a journey anyway.
Matt Galvin, Polestar UK Managing Director, commented:
“While Kevin, Sam and Richard pushed the Polestar 3 to the boundaries of its range capability, it goes to show how battery range has improved exponentially over the past few years. For a large luxury SUV to go way beyond a London to Edinburgh distance is truly impressive.
When this achievement is coupled together with real world independent tests such as Norway’s El Prix winter range test earlier in the year where the Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor won against 23 other electric vehicles, it goes to show: long distances are perfectly achievable with minimal fuss.
Add to this rapid charging with up to 250kW allowing a 10-80% charge in 30 minutes, the adage that ‘EVs can’t go far’ has been very much consigned to the history books.”
Driver Kevin Booker added:
“Setting this record alongside Sam and Richard is a great achievement – especially in a large SUV such as the Polestar 3. There’s always jeopardy, and our attempt could have been hampered by the adverse weather conditions and traffic we experienced – there was a lot of standing water during part of the day, meaning more resistance from the tyres and lower efficiency. But, finishing up on 0% at nearly one o’clock in the morning knowing we’d beaten previous records was a fantastic feeling!”
Driver Richard Parker commented:
“After the rain subsided, we had a few more challenges on our hands including some interest from the local constabulary! When they realised our official attempt was ultra-efficiency, and they had wished us good luck – we were back on track and getting into our routine of driving shifts until a last-minute road closure near Melton Mowbray was an additional test for us to face. It was another proof point that the record isn’t just down to the driver, but also the passenger – quick-thinking co-pilot navigation was just as vital as battery management for this attempt.”
Driver Sam Clarke said:
“Since we first started setting records, we have noticed how much more driving it is taking to achieve them! While we aim to push the car to the limits the car is also pushing us to our limits. I am pleased to be setting the first electric SUV journey record, and to do it in such a capable EV like the Polestar 3 has been a real pleasure.”
