BICESTER, UK – 13 August 2025 – The Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor has set a new benchmark for electric vehicle endurance, covering an astonishing 581.3 miles (935.44 km) on UK public roads without recharging — a feat officially recognised by Guinness World Records. The achievement, more than 140 miles over the SUV’s WLTP-rated range, underscores both the technological strides in EV battery efficiency and the skill of the professional drivers behind the wheel.
Pushing Man and Machine to the Limit
Piloted by efficiency specialists Sam Clarke, Kevin Booker, and Richard Parker, the unmodified, production-standard SUV embarked from near Norwich, traversing a mix of mostly flat A and B roads, interspersed with dual carriageways when necessary. The 22-hour, 57-minute drive tested the limits of endurance for both drivers and vehicle, with driving shifts rotated every three hours to maintain peak concentration.
Throughout the attempt, the Polestar 3 achieved an efficiency of 19.5 kWh per 100 miles (5.13 m/kWh), equating to 12.1 kWh/100 km — an exceptional figure for a large luxury SUV. In fact, it reached its official WLTP range of 438 miles with 20% battery capacity remaining, and managed eight additional miles even after displaying 0% charge before arriving at a charger.
Precision, Verification, and Fair Play
The record was adjudicated by Guinness World Records judge Paulina Sapinska, with comprehensive data collection provided by Webfleet, Bridgestone’s globally trusted fleet management platform. Verification included odometer readings, GPS tracking, video documentation, and battery level monitoring.
Crucially, the vehicle was 100% standard — running on factory-fitted 20-inch wheels with Michelin Sport 4 EV tyres. Support was provided by The AA, ensuring safety and recovery in the event the SUV was stranded far from charging infrastructure.
Overcoming Adversity on the Road
The journey was not without challenges. Rain-soaked tarmac increased rolling resistance, while a late-night road closure near Melton Mowbray forced quick navigational thinking. Even an encounter with the local police became a quirky footnote, as officers, reassured by the official nature of the attempt, wished the team good luck before sending them on their way.
Driver Sam Clarke reflected:
“While we aim to push the car to the limits, the car is also pushing us to ours. Achieving this in such a capable EV as the Polestar 3 has been a real pleasure.”
Kevin Booker noted the tension in the closing hours:
“There’s always jeopardy. Standing water, traffic, and the ticking clock all added pressure — but finishing at nearly 1 a.m., on 0%, knowing we’d beaten the record, was an incredible feeling.”
Richard Parker added:
“This wasn’t just about driving skill. Quick-thinking co-pilot navigation was just as crucial as battery management.”
A Showcase of Modern EV Capability
Matt Galvin, Managing Director of Polestar UK, called the feat “truly impressive,” highlighting how battery range has “improved exponentially” in recent years. He noted that the Polestar 3’s performance builds on its earlier victory in Norway’s El Prix winter range test, where the Long Range Dual Motor model outperformed 23 competitors in challenging conditions.
With rapid charging up to 250 kW — enough for a 10–80% top-up in just 30 minutes — the Polestar 3 further dismantles the notion that EVs can’t handle long-distance travel.
“The adage that ‘EVs can’t go far’ has been very much consigned to the history books,” Galvin concluded.
