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Updated: August 22, 2025
Volkswagen’s all-electric ID. Buzz minivan has officially clinched a Guinness World Record for “the most countries visited in a continuous journey by a battery-powered electric vehicle.” The record-breaking trek spanned 92 countries, covered nearly 100,000 kilometers (62,000 miles), and took 445 days — all without a single technical failure.
The achievement was certified at IAA Transportation 2024, where Guinness World Records representative Lena Kuhlmann handed the certificate to driver Rainer Zietlow. The ID. Buzz used was a standard production model — the Pro Long Wheelbase (LWB) version — not a custom-built prototype.
Starting in Hanover, Germany, Zietlow piloted the ID. Buzz through North America, Africa, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australia, and China. The route involved more than 300 charging sessions and 16 container ship crossings, yet the van’s high-voltage battery maintained 95.75% state of health as certified by TÜV Nord after the journey.
“I had no technical problems,” Zietlow said at the IAA event. “I am particularly proud that we came through this high mileage without any technical problems, and through genuinely difficult regions.”
Zietlow, who has been organizing long-distance drives for two decades, noted that the electric drivetrain proved more reliable than a combustion engine in remote areas. “In many parts of the world, diesel fuel can contain high sulphur levels or water contamination, several oil changes are required and there is also the risk of the engine overheating,” he explained. “All of that is eliminated with an electric vehicle.”
Even when factoring in charging infrastructure gaps, Zietlow concluded that “you are better off with an electric car.” He believes battery advancements will further shrink the gap with internal combustion engines. “If the solid-state battery arrives at some point, along with very fast hyper-charging, then a great deal more will be possible,” he added.
While the record run showcased the ID. Buzz’s durability abroad, U.S. EV drivers face a different set of challenges. The ID. Buzz is expected to arrive in American dealerships in late 2025, and VW has yet to finalize its own charging network in the country. However, the same 86 kWh battery pack used in the record car — capable of DC fast-charging from 10% to 80% in under 30 minutes at 200 kW — will be available for U.S. buyers.
“This record proves that long-distance EV travel is no longer a pipe dream,” said auto industry analyst John McElroy. “The ID. Buzz saying it endured almost 100,000 kilometers without a breakdown is a strong vote of confidence for families considering an electric van.”
Zietlow called this his “biggest project in 20 years, at one year and four months.” He predicted that “in the not-too-distant future, the combustion engine will be to us what the horse-drawn carriage once was.” Volkswagen’s production ID. Buzz Pro LWB offers a WLTP range of up to 498 kilometers (310 miles), and the company is already working on next-gen battery technology to extend real-world range even further.
The record validates that mass-produced EVs can withstand extreme conditions — from desert heat to mountain passes — making a strong case for electric family vehicles worldwide.
