A new world record has been set for the longest journey by an electric car on a single charge.
A Ford Mustang Mach-E drove 569.64 miles (916.74 km) around England, beating the previous record by just six miles. In doing so, it set the Guinness World Record for a production electric car that customers can now buy in showrooms.
The attempt was a project between Webfleet Mobility Solutions, Bridgestone Tires and the AA.
On July 28, 2024, a new world record was set for the longest journey by an electric car on a single charge. A Ford Mustang Mach-E drove 569.64 miles (916.74 km) around England to claim the Guinness World Record
The electric Ford SUV set a new standard in electric vehicle performance and was driven by drivers Kevin Booker and Sam Clarke, with support from co-driver Richard Parker.
The journey took 24 hours and took in Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Cambridgeshire. Clarke and Brooker rode on a mix of urban and rural roads to simulate real-world driving conditions.
The £60,000 91kWh Mach-E ran on Bridgestone tyres, which provided a longer range thanks to their low rolling resistance. The 370-mile range exceeded expectations, averaging 6 miles per kilowatt hour.
The Mach-E’s battery was only supposed to last from 2 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, but even after the battery was completely dead, Sam and Kevin were able to drive for about 21 miles.
Ultimately, the the car’s range lasted more than 24 hours ends on Sunday, July 28 at 2:09 AM.
Equipped with a 91kWh battery and a WLTP range of 373 miles, the Mach-E Premium Extended Range SUV RWD Auto, with 18-inch wheels – selected for its advanced battery technology and driver comfort – exceeded expectations, achieving an average speed of 6.25 miles per kilowatt-hour (kWh) on public roads.
The electric Ford SUV was piloted by Webfleet-sponsored drivers Kevin Booker and Sam Clarke, with support from Webfleet co-driver Richard Parker who drove for 24 hours and covered 21 miles with a battery of 0 percent to claim the title
The record attempt was meticulously recorded using independently verified video footage, odometer readings, GPS and battery level data from Webfleet, and AA vehicles were also used during the run.
The motoring group also gave an official verdict on the attempt, which narrowly beat the previous record, set in Hangzhou, China, at 563.97 miles.
The longest distance an electric car can travel on a single charge is 1,000 kilometers. This distance was covered earlier this year by the Mercedes EQXX concept car.
However, since the EQXX is just a prototype designed to demonstrate the range of future electric cars, it doesn’t qualify for an entry in the prestigious record books.
The Mercedes EQXXX electric concept holds the longest single-charge driving record of 628 miles, which it achieved earlier this year. However, because it is only a prototype and not a production vehicle, it does not qualify for the Guinness World Record Books.
Clarke and Booker are no strangers to the Guinness Book of World Records: they both hold previous records for fuel economy and energy consumption of electric vehicles.
They now hold five and two Guinness World Records titles respectively.
Booker said: ‘Breaking this record has been an exciting journey and a powerful demonstration of what electric vehicles can achieve.
“It’s incredible to see how far we’ve come with EV technology and efficiency. We hope this inspires more people to consider electric vehicles for their daily journeys.”
Clarke added: ‘It was an extraordinary experience to travel such a distance in the Ford Mustang Mach-E on a single charge. The efficiency of the vehicle and the support of Webfleet’s technology made this possible.’
Not Ford’s first EV record
The Mach-E Premium Extended Range RWD Auto isn’t the first Ford electric vehicle to break a world record.
In March, the all-new Ford Explorer SUV became the first electric car to drive around the world.
The Charge Around the Globe, led by explorer Lexie Alford, was a reimagining of pioneering female adventurer Aloha Wanderwell’s early 20th century voyage around the world in a Ford Model T.
During the 2024 campaign, more than 30,000 km (approximately 18,640 miles) were traveled, 27 countries were visited and six continents were crossed.
Ford called it the “ultimate test drive” as it tested the world’s electric charging infrastructure and sought to eliminate range anxiety and charging fears for new electric vehicles.
Adventurer Lexie Limitless (Lexie Alford) – pictured right – became the first person to drive around the world in an electric vehicle, driving Ford’s all-new Explorer SUV. The world record was set in Nice on March 26, 2024, with Ford’s managing director, Jim Farley (left), greeting Lexie at the finish line. The Ford Explorer officially went on sale once the record was set
The journey was a reimagining of the true pioneering adventurer Aloha Wanderwell, who became the first woman to travel around the world in an automobile. She drove a Ford Model T in the early 1900s
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