A new world record has been set for the longest journey by an electric SUV on a single charge.
A new Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor was driven 581.3 miles on UK roads, 143 miles more than a single charge should take it.
And the unmodified, large SUV’s real-world journey – which took 22 hours and 57 minutes – has been officially recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Driven by professional efficiency drivers Sam Clarke, Kevin Booker and Richard Parker, the Polestar 3 – which starts from just shy of £70,000 – achieved its WLTP figure of 438 miles with 20 per cent of its battery capacity still available.
It even delivered eight further miles after showing 0 per cent battery – but the Polestar 3 reached a charger before ultimately stopping.
Pointing out that the large luxury SUV went beyond the distance from London to Edinburgh (over 400 miles), Matt Galvin, Polestar UK managing director said: ‘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.’
The Polestar 3 has set the Guinness World Record for longest journey travelled by an electric SUV on a single charge – 581.3 miles. It was driven by Sam Clarke, Kevin Boker and Richard Parker
The Polestar 3 is not the first EV to set a world record and prove that long journeys aren’t a problem in an EV: Last year a Ford Mustang Mach-E was driven 569.64 miles (916.74km) around England, surpassing the previous record set by just six miles, to claim the Guinness World Record for the longest journey by an electric car on a single charge
The world record journey began in Norwich and took in mostly flat A and B roads as well as dual carriageways in mixed weather conditions including rain, demonstrating that weather doesn’t impact range like most people imagine.
Between the three drivers, who switched every three hours to maintain alertness, they coaxed an efficiency of 19.5kWh/100 miles out of the Polestar 3.
The range test was adjudicated by Guinness World Records’ own judge Paulina Sapinska with Webfleet providing meticulously documented and independently verified video footage, odometer readings, GPS readings, and battery level data.
The attempt was supported by the AA to ensure safety and to assist if the vehicle was not near a charger when the battery eventually ran out.
It’s important to note that the car has no modifications for the attempt and was on standard 20-inch wheels fitted with standard Michelin Sport 4 EV tyres.
The Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor costs £69,910 and is the car that took Polestar from being a one-car brand to a two-car brand. The luxury SUV is a rival to the Tesla Model Y, BMW iX and Porsche Macan Electric, but this range record blows those out of the water.
The unmodified Polestar 3 SUV achieved an efficiency of 19.5kWh/100 miles
The Polestar 3 used was the Long Range Single Motor version which costs £69,910. It’s a rival to the Tesla Model Y and BMW iX
The range test was adjudicated by Guinness World Records’ own judge Paulina Sapinska with Webfleet providing meticulously documented and independently verified video footage, odometer readings, GPS readings, and battery level data
The other EVs that can go from London to Edinburgh on a single charge
In our list of the EVs with the longest ranges the Polestar 3, despite its huge 438-mile range, comes fourth on the list – which goes to show how far ranges have come in a short period.
Three EVs can go further; the Audi A6 e-tron, the Mercedes EQS and the Mercedes EQA.
In third place the Audi A6 e-tron executive saloon is priced from £70,900 and is Audi entrance into the electric executive market. It’s 463-mile range can be replenished with 200 miles of juice in just 10 minutes thanks to ultra-rapid charging.
The new Audi A6 e-tron Sportback is an executive offering than manages a huge 463 miles on a single charge
With a range of up to 481 miles, the £100,000+ Mercedes EQS is the EV with the second longest driving distance on a single charge
Another executive saloon with impressive range is the Mercedes EQS which can go 481 miles on a single charge, putting it in second place.
However, the EQS doesn’t come cheap costing £112,610 – and even the base EQS will set you back just shy of £100k.
But if you can afford it the electrified version of the S-Class limo will give you the latest technology, driver assistance features and the highest-quality interior finishes. It will also charge to 80 per cent in 31 minutes despite having a 108.4kWh battery.
The new Mercedes CLA coupe is offering buyers a whopping 492 miles of range, making it the EV with the most miles to offer in the UK when it goes on sale later in the year
First place in our rankings also goes to a Mercedes electric car, but a cheaper one.
The new CLA EV is much more affordable than the EQS, costing £45,615 – a drop of over £50k compared to the EQS.
The CLA 250+ with EQ technology Sport Edition can do 484 miles on a single charge, 0 to 62mph in 6.7 seconds and rapid charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 22 minutes.
Mercedes said they wanted the EV to be priced similarly to the hybrid model and the German brand has managed to do this by reducing battery production by 30 per cent, reducing the EV’s overall cost by 15 per cent.
