Hanover, Germany – 3 July 2025 – In a bold demonstration of what’s possible with electric mobility, renowned adventurer and eight-time Guinness World Record holder Rainer Zietlow has embarked on a groundbreaking all-electric world tour in a Volkswagen ID. Buzz. Supported by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, electricity provider Elli, and a host of other partners, Zietlow’s mission is as ambitious as it is inspiring: to break the world record for the most countries visited during a single journey in an electric vehicle.
Starting from the iconic Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles customer centre at the VW Bus plant in Hanover, Zietlow’s route spans an extraordinary 75 countries over the course of more than eight months. The tour is an unprecedented endurance test for electric mobility – one that aims to silence any remaining doubts about range, reliability, or charging infrastructure.
“Electric mobility is often viewed through the lens of limitation,” says Zietlow. “With this tour, I want to flip that narrative and show what’s possible – not just in cities or short commutes, but across continents and cultures.”
From Hanover to the Horizon
The ID. Buzz, Zietlow’s vehicle of choice, is equipped with an 86kWh battery capable of delivering over 400 kilometres of range on a single charge. A testament to Volkswagen’s engineering, the ID. Buzz remains a standard production model with only one key modification: an additional on-board charger. This allows it to convert high-voltage alternating current (AC, up to 125A) into direct current (DC), enabling flexible charging even in regions without quick-charging infrastructure.
Zietlow’s itinerary is a logistical feat in itself. From Germany, the journey heads east toward New Zealand, then westward to Canada, crossing deserts, mountain ranges, and sprawling metropolises. Ships will be used only where necessary to bridge continents or comply with customs regulations, ensuring that the vehicle does the vast majority of the distance on its own wheels.
Enthusiasts and EV advocates can follow the journey in real time via www.idbuzz-worldtour.com, where Zietlow and his team are sharing updates, location tracking, and reflections from the road.
The Spirit of Sustainable Exploration
At 55, Zietlow is no stranger to extreme road trips, having already visited over 110 countries and completed previous expeditions in the ID. Buzz’s predecessor. “I’m not a company driver,” he notes. “I take these trips on my own account, at my own risk – but I have a strong support network of partners who believe in the mission.”
That support includes Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, whose leadership sees the journey as more than a world record attempt – it’s a powerful statement about the maturity of electric transport.
“We are very impressed that Rainer has the courage and expertise to take on a world tour like this,” says Lars Krause, Member of the Brand Board of Management. “I travel long distances in the ID. Buzz myself and can confirm – charging is no longer a limitation, certainly not in Europe. Rainer’s journey will prove that the global transition to electric is not just possible, but already underway.”
Global Confidence, Local Readiness
Thanks to the ID. Buzz’s global rollout, spare parts and technical support are already available across much of the planned route – from Indonesia and Australia to Taiwan, Japan, the USA, and Canada. This widespread availability reinforces the message that electric mobility is no longer niche, but ready to serve diverse geographies and demanding use cases.
As the wheels of Zietlow’s ID. Buzz spin across continents, so too does the momentum for a cleaner, more connected future. His journey isn’t just about distance; it’s about disproving the doubts and driving the conversation forward – one charge at a time.
